A Practitioner's Handbook 

OF 

Materia Medica and Therapeutics 

Based upon Established Physiological Actions 

AND 

The Indications in Small Doses. 



TO WHICH IS ADDED 

Some Pharmaceutical Data 

AND 

The Most Important Therapeutic Developments 

of Sectarian Medicine as Explained 

Along Rational L,ines. 



By THOS. S. BLAIR, M.D. 

Member American Medical Association, Pennsylvania 

State Medicae Society, Harrisburg Academy 

of Medicine, Member Visiting Staff of 

Harrisburg City Hospital, &c. 



Published by 

THE MEDICAL COUNCIL, 

4105 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa, 



<e- 



UBRARYofCON6RESS 
Two Copies Received 

MAh 22 1907 

. Qopyneht Entry 

CUSS €». XXC„ No, 

COPY B. 






This Volume is Respectfully Dedicated 

to 

THE OPTIMIST IN THERAPEUTICS 

BY 

THK AUTHOR 



Copyright, 1907, by J. J. Taylor 



Contents 



PAGE 

Preface 5 

Introduction 7 

PART I. 

Pharmacy 

Botany 15 

Botanic Medicaments , 18 

Extracts 18 

U. S. P. Tinctures 22 

Green Plant Tinctures 23 

Homoeopathic Mother Tinctures 25 

Eclectic Tinctures 26 

Tablets and Triturates . 31 

Alkaloids 32 

Synthetics 35 

Ointments and Cerates 36 

The National Formulary . , . 37 

PART II. 

Materia Medica and Therapeutics 

Introductory Remarks 38 

Note, Explanatory of Abbreviations 39 

Remedies, in Alphabetical Order 40-240 

Index 241-253 



PREFACE. 

The modern tendency towards more direct and less bulky med- 
ication has placed in a transition stage the drug therapy of to-day. 
New synthetics, elegant pharmaceuticals, and mixtures and com- 
pounds more or less ethical, are being introduced faster than the 
profession can keep pace with them. 

Certain excesses always accompany a forward movement. This 
little book is an exhortation to pause and consider, and is an at- 
tempted rational restudy of the materia medica with the two 
main points in view of emphasizing what is really important as 
regards the employment of drugs in their larger dose, and, more 
especially, of directing scientific and clinical attention to the em- 
ployment of drugs to meet their indications in small doses. 

Attempting to exploit no pathy, ism, or fanciful theories, the 
effort is made to gather together what is of practical account in 
the recorded investigations of all schools of practice bearing 
upon the clinical use of small doses of the drugs suitable for such 
employment. The infinitesimal dose will not be considered, and 
the theories involved concerning such attempts at medication 
need be but slightly touched upon. 

The neglect of this subject by laboratory investigators, most of 
our clinical teachers and our physiologists, makes it imperative 
to draw considerably upon the mass of more or less valuable sec- 
tarian literature. This has been done in as nearly a judicial 
spirit as possible. There are so many instances where all three 
schools of medicine substantially agree upon the indications that 
the- task is not so difficult as might appear upon the surface. 
Where such an agreement is not obvious, divergent views will 
be carefully weighed, and whatever data appears to possess the 
most substantial chemic, physiologic, and clinical foundation will 
be given preference over anything of a theoretic nature. 

This is a series of studies, and is not a treatise; a volume of 
suggestions, and not one of principles. It presupposes a knowl- 
edge of the established materia medica and rational therapeutics, 
and presents from the standpoint of a seasoned "regular" what 
he apprehends we and all physicians, regardless of school, are 
coming to recognize and practice as common ground. 

5 



6 Preface. 

Full of imperfections a study of this nature must necessarily 
be. So much data is empiric; so much is based upon clinical ob- 
servations and provings with too much of the subjective; some 
is contradictory, and much more is inadequate ; but the refine- 
ments of physical and physiologic science are having their effects 
upon therapeutics. 

In the Materia Medica section, the author accepts conditions 
as he finds them, and must, perforce of circumstances, give a 
sectarian setting to what he is endeavoring to give in a non-sec- 
tarian spirit. Pharmaceutic matters are considered impartially 
and as having no legitimate sectarian phases. 

Most of the literature upon the small dose in therapeutics is 
built up upon that which has preceded it. The fathers of medi- 
cine dwelt much upon this problem. It has been quite impossible 
to determine the real author of much of the data used in the 
preparation of this volume. Many books, both regular and sec- 
tarian, have been consulted, and the author acknowledges a large 
debt of obligation. 

Harrisburg, Pa., January, 1907. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The employment of drugs in ordinary or in large doses for 
their physical, chemic, or physiologic action is a procedure so 
well established in therapeutics, and so well borne out in the 
common experience of all ages, that a defence of such a rational 
use of remedies is not necessary. 

The question of the natural limitations of such a line of therapy 
is a pertinent one, however. From time to time new theories have 
arisen, tending either to limit or to eliminate such a use of drugs. 
These theories or systems of therapeutics usually possess some 
degree of truth and one-sided merit, but they unite in a super- 
lative elaboration of the symptomatology of disease processes as a 
guide in the selection of the indicated remedy, and they mini- 
mize the known physiologic actions as an indication towards the 
selection of the proper drug to meet the pathologic change under- 
lying the symptomatology. Like the systems and theories of 
other branches of science, these well-meant efforts need not meet 
with pedantic condemnation, especially since certain abuses and 
overstatements have been corrected and our therapeutics tem- 
pered by reason of the discussions engendered by them. 

What, then, are the limitations naturally surrounding our use 
of remedies in the usual doses of the books and for their gen- 
erally recognized physiologic actions?* 

First, as regards the mechanical action of remedies little need 
be said, since there is substantial agreement as to such indica- 
tions. The wonderful advances in surgery and mechano-therapy 
have rendered unnecessary many of the old procedures, and ad- 
vances in drug therapy have largely eliminated mechanical erne- 
sis, bulky protective agents, demulcents, escharotics, and diluents. 

Chemically considered, a wide field is opening up. The physi- 
ologic chemist has pointed the way to much of therapeutic 
value. Antacids, antilithics, and the oxidizing agents constitute 

* The question of the natural limitations of the small dose is quite as 
important as is that of the large dose. It is to be hoped that all physicians 
who employ remedies for their actions in small doses may never be so 
attracted by the arguments in favor of such procedures as to neglect the 
rational and eminently necessary use of the large doses when they are 
indicated. 

In view of the distressing emergencies confronting the practician so 
frequently and because of the marked sthenic character, or the malignancy 
of many cases of illness, it would be folly to uniformly depend upon small 
doses. 



8 Materia Medica. 

the grosser chemic instances in therapy, but Rademacher, Grau- 
vogel and the more recent investigators have been eager to give a 
chemic basis to much of therapeutic import. 

The "Biochemic" theories of Schuessler open up a promising 
field worthy of more conservative investigation. At present, the 
studies he has made concerning the lack of various tissue salts in 
certain diseased conditions have been given a vitiated application 
by very "high potency" enthusiasts. Naturally, it requires a fairly 
tangible amount of any substance to supply a chemical deficiency, 
and even if the "law of similars" be admitted to apply in other 
directions, it is evident to any chemist that the tissue salts do not 
operate within such limitations.* 

Schuessler is probably correct in some of his deductions, and 
the administration of material doses of his remedies constitutes 
an accessory to other treatment worthy of intelligent observation 
and studious employment. The various salts of calcium, potas- 
sium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and silica should have a well de- 
fined place as tissue foods. 

The recent advances in chemic physics prompted by the in- 
vestigation of radium and radioactive substances, and proving 
that molecules or atoms are not the ultimate subdivisions of mat- 
ter, put us very much "at sea" as to some problems of vital 
chemistry. There may be many things undreamed of in our erst- 
while chemic philosophy. If, after all, it is the electron and not 
the molecule that is active, we have been adding an excess of 
reagent to the human test tube in the reactions we endeavor to 
bring about by many of our drugs. 

It is quite probable that an overwhelming dose of any rem- 
edy given for a chemic action is very seldom indicated except to 
antidote poison or to neutralize acids or alkalies. Iron, arsenic, 
phosphorus and other drugs act only in minute doses with any 
kindliness at all, and an excess is eliminated, unchanged, or but 



* The so-called "high potencies" are not based upon any tangible laws of 
physics, nor upon true chemical philosophy. "Potentizing" or "dynamizing" 
a drug through a line of attenuations is a theory at present given but 
limited application in the school of its origin. The author has given true 
Homoeopathic 3X dilutions strictly according to their indications and com- 
pared results with his own admixture of 1 part of the mother tincture with 
909 parts of alcohol. The therapeutic results have been identically alike. 
The same has been done with ix and 2x dilutions. 

It is very rarely that any substance used in medicine will give tangible 
results^ in doses less than 1-1000 grain, or 1 grain of a_3x trituration. A 
30X trituration in which one grain of the crude drug is contained would 
require of milk sugar sufficient to weigh eleven times as much as does the 
earth. Very few Homoeopaths exceed the 6x with toxic drugs or the 3X 
with the ordinary run of drugs. 



Introduction. 9 

slightly changed. An excess of drug is liable to become an irri- 
tant and interfere with the elimination of the products of retro- 
grade tissue metamorphosis. As an instance, it may be said that 
the salts of mercury induce the same general results, varying in 
the time element as regards their dissociability or according to 
the degree of minuteness of their absorbable particles* 

Many authorities claim that the chemic actions of drugs are 
much more prominent than their so-called vital actions. It is not 
always the more gross chemic action of acid and base, oxida- 
tion or interchange, but rather a certain affinity of the drug for 
some form of living protoplasm. When such drug action is 
sought, it is well to remember that in large dose most active 
drugs may be classed as poisons to a certain degree and that 
most poisons act upon a narrow area in minute doses but extend 
this area in large doses. 

This proposition cannot be too strongly emphasized, and cer- 
tainly if our therapeutics is ever to become direct and definite, 
we desire drug actions limited to very definite and direct indica- 
tions. 

Right here an important distinction must be made. The chemic 
action of drugs is quantitative rather than qualitative, while the 
vital action is qualitative rather than quantitative. As a general 
proposition, there are a few exceptions to this statement, but yet 
it very largely covers the case and applies to small dose therapy 
with peculiar force, in that when we give a remedy for its ulti- 
mate chemic action, the dose is a most important element and we 
must most carefully adjust that dose to the demands of the tis- 
sues we desire to reach and not give sufficient to overstep this 
narrow area and influence other tissues that might be harmed 
thereby. A small dose of a drug may act upon the medulla, but 
in larger dose extend its action to the cord and the cerebrum. 
Even protoplasmic poisons which paralyze any structure if ex- 
hibited in large quantity, yet invariably influence some special 
organ more particularly. This is a general rule in chemic reac- 
tions and cannot be safely deviated from in chemic therapeutics. 
Therefore, "a shotgun prescription" may contain only one sub- 
stance if it is in too large dose and is consequently aimed at sev- 



* It is estimated that it is possible to physically divide one grain of a 
substance into one hundred million particles by solution or by long con- 
tinued trituration; therefore, one grain of an 8x trituration can theoretically 
contain one particle of the drug. Division into molecules is not regarded 
possible by most physicists, either by solution or by trituration. 



io Materia Medic a. 

eral organs instead of one. As we have drugs whose primary or 
direct actions in small doses cover a wide field, there is compara- 
tively little occasion in routine practice to impose upon debili- 
tated and chronic cases the large doses so useful in emergency 
and so often necessary when immediate results are imperative.* 

Regarding the proposition that the vital action of drugs is 
qualitative rather than quantitative, the practical outcome is that 
the important matter in selecting a remedy for its vital action is 
to select the right drug. The dose should be the least amount 
meeting the indications adequately. Some of these doses will be 
large, but the majority need be but small. 

The action of the fluids of the body upon drugs administered 
should ever be kept in mind. A great many are carried to the 
liver and destroyed or modified before they can influence the tis- 
sues at large to any appreciable degree; or they are detained in 
the liver and gradually escape into the system. This well-known 
fact suggests that nature is wiser than we are in the selection of 
remedies and expects the liver to nullify the effects of our mis- 
directed medication, or that we should not administer in large 
doses the substances this organ intercepts. 

The study of the vital or the physiologic actions of drugs is 
one so involved as to present peculiar difficulties. Prof. Cushney 
tells us that "Pharmacology is the study of the changes induced 
in living organisms by the administration in a state of minute 
division of such unorganized substances as do not act merely as 
foods ... or, the study of the organism rendered abnormal 
by drugs." * 



* In order to attain satisfactory results with remedies for their indica- 
tions in small doses, very discriminating diagnosis is absolutely essential. 
When we give doses so small as to get only the primary action of a drug, 
we do not get the general effects upon the system noted in the action of 
large doses. In most instances, overwhelming drug action is not to be 
desired, but if one expects success with small doses he must weigh carefully 
the pathology and symptomatology of each individual case. It is not suc- 
cessful when one is prescribing at the name of some disease, but the results 
are eminently satisfactory when the patient in all his bearings is prescribed 
for _ and then carefully watched. Care should be taken in estimating the 
subjective phenomena not to lay undue emphasis upon pain. 

One needs to learn a good deal over again and attain familiarity with 
data to be elicited from careful inspection of the tongue, pulse, mucous 
surfaces, superficial vessels, eyes, the appearance of the sk'in^ etc. It is 
well to learn how to use a few drugs for a few_ definite^ indications and 
then add gradually to one's stock of well-digested information. 

It will soon surprise an erstwhile routine prescriber how soon he begins 
to note the little things in diagnosis and drug action and to relieve condi- 
tions in which he had previously failed. 

* Arthur R. Cushney, M.D., "A Textbook of Pharmacology and Therapeu- 
tics." I^ea Bros. & Co., Philadelphia. 



Introduction. i i 

The study of these changes is sometimes made with healthy 
men as the subjects, but usually the lower animals are employed. 
The data secured are principally objective. Homoeopathic drug 
provings are practically studies in pharmacology, but they are 
made exclusively upon healthy human subjects and by the in- 
ternal administration alone. The data secured are largely sub- 
jective, but in part objective. In both methods very material 
doses are employed. It is very much of a question just how far 
our therapeutics should be influenced by either one of these 
methods. Both are partial and may lead to equally fallacious rea- 
soning. 

In a laboratory it is very convenient to employ the lower ani- 
mals for experimentation, and the data secured possess a certain 
scientific value, but it demands no argument to prove that addi- 
tional experiments upon man are necessary before a clinical sig- 
nificance can be attached to them. Somewhat unfortunately, the 
pharmacologists convey the impression that only the more recent 
laboratory views of therapeutics are worthy of consideration, 
while the practical men in their round of visits get the impres- 
sion that pharmacology is the science of destructive criticism as 
applied to drugs. Pharmacology is destined ultimately to place 
upon a more certain basis much of our practice, but as yet it is 
altogether too academic to ride roughshod over established ther- 
apeutic procedures rendered definite by the bedside observations 
of thousands of careful practitioners. The influence of a drug 
upon a sick man may be very different from the action of the 
separated active principle hypodermatically administered to a 
healthy frog or guinea pig. 

On the other hand, pharmacology emphasizes one of the im- 
portant sides of therapeutics practitioners are inclined to neglect, 
when it insists that we do not give drugs simply to influence dis- 
eased organs directly, but rather to influence healthy ones, since 
that action is the more certain one. In part, the idea is most 
excellent. In cardiac valvular lesions we cannot restore the valve, 
but we can influence the healthy heart muscle with our drugs ; 
and in kidney diseases we can rest these organs by stimulating 
the skin; but we cannot make the intestines digest proteid, the 
medulla conduct the functions of cerebration, the spleen look 
after the glycogenic function, or the motor nerves conduct sen- 
sory impulses. As to the action of remedies themselves, we ob- 



12 Materia M^dic a. 

serve that most antipyretics reduce temperature in fever but not 
in health, the bromides inhibit convulsive action in epilepsy, but 
do not depress healthy brain tissue. Such data could be given 
quite in extenso, much to the discouragement of pharmacologic 
theories. 

Homoeopathic drug provings possess more scientific value than 
is accorded to them in regular medicine. They are verified char- 
acteristics of drugs determined by most self-sacrificing investiga- 
tion upon the part of many individuals of varying temperament. 
They are the complement of laboratory data upon physiologic 
actions of drugs. It takes both of these methods, tempered with 
the data secured from the ranks of the clinicians, to arrive at a 
working scheme of physiologic actions. Such a combination idea 
of physiologic actions is the real basis of most successful prac- 
tice in all schools of medicine. After one has been for years 
engaged in active practice and has learned the more important 
end of therapeutics, an honest introspective inquiry will show to 
any physician other than a hopeless routineist, that he takes the 
subjective element into account nearly as much as he does the 
objective in prescribing for his patients. A successful man must 
do so. 

In prescribing for objective symptoms the larger doses of rem- 
edies are usually more generally requisite than in prescribing for 
subjective symptoms. For instance, very minute doses of the 
tincture of apis will relieve irritation and stinging of the urethra 
or external genitalia where there is nothing to be seen by the 
eye of the examiner, but larger doses act directly as a diuretic. 

Again, asclepias tuberosa will relieve in quite small doses the 
pleuritic pains entirely subjective in character and resulting from 
a dry condition of the serous membranes involved; but give it in 
larger doses and the action is extended from the serous to the 
mucous membranes and finally to the skin itself. These actions, 
both in the small dose and in the large dose, are physiologic 
actions. There is no occasion to attach an element of mystery to 
the actions of remedies in small doses, nor is it necessary to elab- 
orate any theories or systems covering such actions. That there 
are a large number of drugs possessing an action differing ac- 
cording to dose is a proposition that is never called in question. 
It is agreed as well that in the ordinary doses of the books these 
remedies act physiologically; but when the small dose is consid- 



Introduction. 13 

ered, the mysterious "dynamic action" or "the remedial action" or 
"the specific action" is at once conjured into being.* 

Table salt in large doses is emetic, and in continued excessive 
doses causes scurvy and a whole chain of devitalizing symptoms, 
yet we all know that in small amounts it possesses the most dis- 
tinct physiologic usefulness. Many of our condiments are mark- 
edly irritant or emetic in large doses. There is no mystery com 
nected with the actions of these substances in small amounts. We 
simply recognize the two kinds of action they possess and do 
not attempt to separate either one of them from physiologic 
laws. The man who smokes tobacco for the narcotic effect of the 
small amount of the weed absorbed into his system does not re- 
gard that action as extra-physiologic because a larger dose of 
the same thing would produce muscular relaxation, depression, 



* A fair estimate of the views held by the Homoeopaths may not be amiss. 
There are many such estimates scattered throughout medical literature, and 
we here reproduce an eclectic view taken from an authoritative eclectic 
textbook, the 15th edition of "Specific Medication," by Prof. John M. 
Scudder, M.D. It is probably fair middle ground. 

"The Homoeopathic law of cure, similia similibus curanter, is based upon 
the fact that many drugs have two actions in kind, dependent upon the 
dose — the action of the small or medicinal dose being the opposite of the 
large or toxic dose. Drug provings being done with toxic doses, the medi- 
cinal influence is the opposite of this, and if in disease we see the symptoms 
of the toxic action of a medicine, the small dose, giving the opposite effect, 
will prove curative. Homoeopaths may twist and turn as they please, they 
cannot escape these conclusions. But as these opposite effects, dependent 
upon quantity, do not pertain to all drugs, and vary greatly with many, 
Homoeopathy has a short leg, and must go halt many times. * * * 
In other instances the action of the drug is the same in kind both in small 
and large doses, and some of them are quite valuable remedies, there being 
no danger of mistakes from dose. _ Homoeopaths employ the first class, but 
have little use for the second, as will be obvious to the reader." 

The author of this book does not stand sponsor for the above views, but 
finds them suggestive. Rejecting personally the theories of Hahnemann 
after reading largely of his writings, yet it cannot be denied that his fol- 
lowers have discovered many facts with reference to the action of remedies 
individually and have introduced into medicine many very valuable drugs. 

The history of the Eclectic movement has shown much flexibility as to 
their theories which we need not consider except to state that they aim to 
use "specific remedies for specific indications," regardless of the names 
given to disease. Niederkorn says: "Specific medication does not teach 
that medicines will alleviate or cure certain diseases; that is to say, they 
will not cure an aggregate of symptoms arranged according to the much 
practiced nosology. Specific medication is the study by which we determine 
the direct action of remedies with special reference to their direct relation 
to pathological conditions, a study which determines a definite condition of 
disease, and points out the direct remedy for such conditions; a study 
which considers drug action as it relates to disease expression." 

Practically, the Eclectic of to-day superimposes what he finds of prac- 
tical account in Homoeopathic practice " upon what he has learned from 
regular sources. He adds to this a specialized knowledge of botanic drugs. 
We must credit them with much earnest effort. They have done more in 
the last fifty years to develop our indigenous botanic materia medica than 
has the regular school. In pathology they have added very little to medical 
knowledge, but their more recent works upon materia medica and thera- 
peutics would be a credit to any school of medicine. 



14 Materia Medica. 

and emesis. The person who soothes a cough with wild cherry 
bark containing a minute amount of hydrocyanic acid, does not 
regard that procedure as extra-physiologic, because in large doses 
this acid is a powerful poison. 

Because the physiologists and pharmacologists have not yet 
worked out the physiologic actions of most of our drugs in small 
or minute doses, does not prove that there are no such physio- 
logic actions. It only proves that these gentlemen have yet a lot 
of work before them. 

There has been a great deal of contention between regular and 
sectarian physicians as to the poisonous action of drugs ; many of 
the sectarians claiming that everything they recognized as physi- 
ologic action was really the toxic action as opposed to the re- 
medial action. This contention has not led to anything practi- 
cal and has been to the discredit of all involved in it. Pedantic 
and unscientific squabbles such as this are what divide the medi- 
cal profession to-day. 

It appears that the average mind has to have some little "cult" 
or shibbolethic formula. We all bow down to these things more 
or less, and so it may not be amiss to tentatively advance a prop- 
osition to the effect that in small and moderate doses we get the 
true physiologic action and in the large dose the physiologic 
reaction* 

This proposition will at least serve to lock up current theoret- 
ical differences, and gives us opportunity in the following pages 
to classify all reasonable data and to gather together such facts in 
materia medica and therapeutics, in its wider field, as we can use 
in treating our patients. 



* In disease manifestations, it frequently requires a very large dose to 
be toxic, as, for instance, the large doses of veratrum tolerated in puerperal 
convulsions, of chloral in mania, or of quinia in profound malarial parox- 
ysms. Small doses of drugs must, quite naturally, be frequently repeated 
as a rule. Where small doses are used merely to meet the symptomatology 
there is usually a quicker response than when they are employed to combat 
established diseased processes. 

As to large doses, it is imperative that we remember that antizymotics 
and febrifuges cannot take the place of the curette, with septic masses in 
the womb; that antineuralgic remedies are of little avail with a suppurating 
middle ear ; that high colonic flushing will often do much more than ^ intes- 
tinal antiseptics; that medication for catarrh will not remove polypi, and 
that abdominal pain may be due to appendicitis and require the surgeon. 
By all means, let us study our cases and Treat our patients not merely by 
drugs, but by every method properly adapted to the case. The study of 
drugs is important and is neglected, but there are other equally important 
branches in theraoeutics. Don't indefinitely dose any one with large quan- 
tities of drugs. Invariably, they will do more harm than good, and please 
don't give eight or ten drugs at the same time. 



Part I. 
PHARMACY. 

BOTANY. 

As in chemistry, so also in botany, plants sustain definite 
relationships to each other ; and as from its chemic affilia- 
tion we get an idea of the therapy of any new substance, 
so from its botanic classification we obtain some insight 
into its therapeutic indications. While the different spe- 
cies of a genus may vary to quite an extent in their range 
of action, yet their general action is usually along some 
definite line, and if the genus in general is inert thera- 
peutically, we need seldom expect much from any newly 
introduced species of that genus. 

The: Ranuncul,acM usually possess an acrid and poi- 
sonous juice, the active constituent of which is more or 
less volatile. Plants of this natural order should be 
worked fresh or in a comparatively recent state in making 
tinctures or extracts and heat should not be employed in 
the process. The roots of some species contain more or 
less permanent alkaloids, and these roots need not be 
handled so carefully. Pulsatilla is an instance of the first 
class and aconite root of the second class. Nearly all 
plants of this order are more or less poisonous, and ex- 
ternally applied are vesicants. Clematis or virgin's bower 
is an exception, but it is actively purgative. Hepatica also 
is not an active drug, while Xanthoriza is esteemed as a 
bitter tonic. 

The Magnouacm are characterized by aromatic tonic 
properties. 

15 



1 6 Materia Medic a. 

The Berberidace^E possess acrid and bitter properties. 
Berberis, caulophyllum, podophyllum, and jeffersonia are 
instances of this order. They are active because of resins 
and alkaloids, and are readily manipulated pharmaceuti- 
cally. 

The Papaverace^E, an order widely distributed, are all 
more or less narcotic and acrid, but fill quite different in- 
dications. Opium, celandine, and sanguinaria are repre- 
sentatives. 

The CrucipeM are non-poisonous, acrid irritants with 
volatile constituents. Mustard, horse-radish, and shep- 
herd's purse are of this order. 

The Ma^vace^E, a tropical order, gossypium being the 
only species much employed in medicine, are worthy of 
investigation. They deteriorate very much by drying. 

The Anacardiace^ possess a resinous or milky and 
commonly poisonous juice. There are over a hundred 
species, mostly of tropical habitat, and not investigated 
medicinally. The genera represented by the various spe- 
cies of Rhus have been well studied. 

The Rhamnace^E is another interesting order. "Cas- 
cara sagrada," which is properly Rhamnus purshiana, was 
made light of some years ago, but it has proven so valu- 
able as to suggest that the same manipulation of the bark 
that develops its properties may be applicable with other 
shrubs and trees. There are over forty genera of this 
order. 

The Leguminos^ include melilotus, baptisia, American 
senna, and other remedies of some importance. The three, 
sub-orders embrace many tropical plants little studied as 
yet, but some of them contain coumarin, a substance oc- 
curring in several of the adulterants of smoking tobacco 
and markedly influencing the heart. 

The Rosacea, a large and important order embracing 



Botany. 17 

many of our domestic fruits. Wild-cherry, agrimony, 
and others are used in medicine. 

The UmbeeuFER^E embrace many poisonous species 
which grow in wet places. Some of those thriving in 
dry sections possess useful aromatic properties. Conium, 
eryngium, and the familiar wild carrot and cow parsnip 
are of this order. 

The Composite are a large order possessing tonic 
properties but a disagreeable taste. They are represented 
by boneset, golden-rod, and elecampane. 

The Ericac&E are diuretics, as instanced by uva-ursi 
and arbutus. 

The Labiate are non-poisonous aromatics, and in- 
clude the mints. 

The Soeanace^E are narcotics. The night-shades, 
hyoscyamus, and stramonium are of this order. Only 
assayed preparations of these drugs are to be relied upon, 
and great care is necessary in their manipulation. The 
recent herbs make up well into standard tinctures, and 
such preparations are preferable to non-assayed fluid- 
extracts. 

The EuphorbiacE^E are acrid and emetic. The vari- 
eties of spurge and stillingia are native to the United 
States. Some of them are alterative. 

The ConiEER^ are an important order of resin-bearing 
trees and shrubs. The hemlock, spruce, larch, arbor vitae, 
and juniper are instances. 

The Lieiace^E are commonly emetic and cathartic and 
influence the circulation. Ve rat rum and convallaria are 
of this order. 

These botanical data are largely derived from a "Man- 
ual of the Medical Botany of North America," by Prof. 
Laurence Johnson. For more detailed information the 
reader is referred to it and to the various Dispensatories. 



18 Materia Medica. 

A superb medical botany, illustrating in colors one hun- 
dred and eighty American medicinal plants, has been pre- 
pared by Dr. C. F. Millspaugh. These books will cover 
both the regular and sectarian lists of plant remedies. 



BOTANIC MEDICAMENTS. 

The standard works upon medical chemistry enter so 
fully into all essential data with regard to inorganic drugs 
that it is unnecessary to discuss the matter here. With 
regard to serum medication, special works should be con- 
sulted. 

Botanic drugs present so many special problems with 
regard to their pharmaceutic manipulation that some dis- 
cussion of the matter is imperative in elucidating the 
therapy of the small dose. 

The climatic conditions, the soil, the conditions of 
growth, the changes taking place during growth, the time 
and manner of harvesting, curing and shipping, as well 
as the length of time the cured product is kept in stock, 
all markedly influence vegetable drugs. Great variations 
occur in different lots derived from the same source of 
supply, and careful manufacturing pharmacists seldom 
purchase before a working trial is made of a lot as to 
the character of its extract, the ease of alkaloidal separa- 
tion, and the assayed values. 

Extracts, as made by the usual U. S. P. methods hon- 
estly followed, seldom disappoint. Unfortunately, poor 
materials, sophistication, and quick but defective processes 
characterize the manufacture of the great bulk of solid 
and fluid extracts upon the market. 

As an illustration of approved processes for the mak- 
ing of extracts upon a large scale, we reproduce from 



Extracts. 19 

"Red Cross Notes," Series V, No. 3, the following: "By 
the term extraction is meant the operation which has for 
its object the separation of the physiologic and therapeu- 
tic principles of the drug by treating it with liquids ca- 
pable of holding these tinctures in solution. 

"The extraction and the separation of the chemic con- 
stituents of drugs is a comparatively simple problem, but, 
as is well known, the chemically evolved products differ 
quite materially, in many instances, from the structure 
itself. So the pharmaceutic preparations of the drug may 
differ in purpose and action from the products that the 
chemist breaks out of the plant. Professor Lloyd has well 
stated that 'the sum of the fragments (chemic constitu- 
ents) that may be broken out of a plant structure by 
chemic methods, although possessed of marked charac- 
teristics (and some of them energetic physiologically) is 
not representative of the full therapeutic energy either of 
the plant or the ordinary pharmaceutic preparations.' 

"The general process of extraction may be described as 
a modified repercolation or fractional percolation, and is 
in brief as follows: 

"The drug is bulked, mixed, dried and ground, and 
then assayed. The ground drug, in lots of two hundred 
and fifty pounds, is moistened with the menstruum. This 
moistening is accomplished in a rotary mixer run by 
power. . . . The moistened drug is packed in conical iron 
percolators, porcelain-lined, with vapor-tight covers. 

"After sufficient maceration the percolation proceeds. 
The menstruum is fed to the percolators by a system of 
pipes. At the end of the row of percolators are two large 
measuring tanks being fed from larger tanks containing 
the main supply of the menstruum. . . . The menstruum 
for the first percolate is a weak percolate from a pre- 
vious percolation. This first percolate is a concentrated 



20 Extracts. 

fluidextract. When two hundred and fifty pounds of 
concentrated percolate have been collected, it is reserved 
for concentration to a solid extract." 

As will be seen, this process describes the extraction 
of a fluidextract without the aid of heat. To convert 
this into a solid extract, the drug in the percolators is 
exhausted, the weak percolate going into the next per- 
colator, while the concentrated fluidextract is concen- 
trated at the lowest possible temperature, the alcohol 
being recovered. This is done with elaborate vacuum 
concentrators, and each batch of solid extract is assayed. 
To make a solid extract some heat is necessary, but, with 
the exception of a very few drugs, there is no excuse for 
employing heat in the making of fluidextracts. 

Numerous criticisms have been made of fluidextracts. 
We will consider in detail the more reasonable ones, but 
it must be borne in mind that in approving fluidextracts 
we have in view none but high-class products. 

A leading criticism is that all official fluidextracts are 
made from the dried drug, and therefore, in a number 
of instances, are not sufficiently active. Until recently 
this was the case, but several enterprising manufacturers 
now offer a list of green plant fluidextracts, the principal 
ones being black haw, cimicifuga, cactus, corn silk, cotton- 
root bark, echinacea, gelsemium, passion flower, poke 
root, stillingia, and saw palmetto. The fact that large 
manufacturers enjoy superior facilities in purchasing and 
promptly working up the crude drug militates in favor 
of the modern machine-made fluidextract over those made 
in small quantities in retail pharmacies. 

A second criticism is that fluidextracts contain a large 
proportion of useless extractive, inert resins, starch, gum, 
pectin, coloring matter, and plant detritus generally. This 
argument certainly does strongly apply against the 



Extracts. 21 

cheaper grade of fluidextracts, but those made of strong 
grain alcohol and without the aid of heat contain no 
greater relative proportions of these inert matters than 
do tinctures. Naturally, both of them carry a fair pro- 
portion of these inert substances, even with careful prep- 
aration; but various makers have directed much intelli- 
gent effort towards the perfecting of certain fluidextracts 
and tinctures; and preparations such as Parke, Davis & 
Co.'s cascara, Squibb's ergot, and Norwood's veratrum, 
are to the credit of American pharmacy. 

Another objection is that the fluidextracts of plants not 
very extensively used in regular practice are not of the 
high quality of those more commonly employed. This 
valid objection is hard to meet with a practical solution. 
Many unavoidable reasons conspire to make it frequently 
the case that these products are either inferior when first 
made or become so by being long kept in stock. Probably 
it is wise to procure such fluids from the manufacturers 
direct or to employ fluids emanating from sectarian 
sources when drugs are wished largely employed by 
sectarians and but little used by regular physicians. 

A last objection is that fluidextracts so frequently pre- 
cipitate or become muddy. Cheap and poorly made ones 
do so to an annoying degree. The best ones do so at 
times. It must be remembered that they are very concen- 
trated preparations, and usually the sediment will again 
enter into solution when incorporated with a solvent. 
Certain plants contain matters liable to gelatinization, 
and they spontaneously decompose, when incorporated 
with a fluid medium, into a worthless brown magma with 
which nothing can be done. Iris, geranium, stillingia, 
cotton-root bark, and urticaria are peculiarly liable to this 
change. Extractive matter and tannates precipitating 
gradually in some high-grade fluidextracts can be re- 



22 Tinctures. 

moved by filtration ofttimes to the advantage of the 
product. Such substances as cannabis indica or ipecac 
should not be filtered to remove precipitates from their 
fluid preparations. 

As a practical matter of fact, the little sediment exist- 
ing in high-class products is not of great consequence 
when one is prescribing for the action of remedies in the 
usual or the large dose. 

U. S. P. Tinctures, by the recent revision, are much 
changed in strength. Potent tinctures are now made of 
10 per cent, strength, whereas the 1890 aconite was 35 
per cent., belladonna 15 per cent., cannabis indica 15 per 
cent., cantharides 5 per cent., colchicum seed 15 per cent., 
digitalis 15 per cent., gelsemium 15 per cent., hydrastis 
20 per cent., hyoscyamus 15 per cent., lobelia 20 per cent., 
physostigma 15 per cent., sanguinaria 15 per cent., squill 
15 per cent., stramonium 15 per cent., strophanthus 5 per 
cent., and veratrum 40 per cent. 

Tinctures are frequently made by diluting a fluidex- 
tract, but the practice is not to be commended. The U. S. 
P. tinctures are to be preferred to the fluidextract in 
many instances, since they possess the distinct advantage 
of an excess of solvent holding in solution the inert sub- 
stances so liable to cause trouble with fluidextracts. Vera- 
trum viride is an instance of this. Here we have a drug 
quite difficult to work. If the root is too recent, it forms 
with alcohol a slimy mess, while if it is tinctured in a 
perfectly dried state it does not possess the full drug 
value. To use the partially dried root in a fluidextract 
is not readily done to advantage, whereas a 10 per cent, 
tincture carries the drug perfectly. The tendency of the 
U. S. P. Revision Committee is to eliminate tinctures so 
far as is possible, and where the tincture is retained there 
is usually very substantial data back of their decision. 



Tinctures. 23 

Green Plant Tinctures are official under the title 
"Tinctura Herbarium Recentium," and are made of green 
or recent herbs, cut into small portions, 500 grams, and 
alcohol 1000 c.c. The whole is digested for two weeks, 
run through a tincture press, and filtered. 

The fact has been long since developed by English 
chemists that narcotic herbs are much deteriorated in the 
process of drying, and their medicinal value almost 
wholly destroyed by careless drying, by age, or by expo- 
sure. The Germans go still further, and some of them 
contend that drugs other than narcotics are similarly in- 
fluenced, and they would have nearly all tinctures made 
of the recent drug. Differences in physiologic actions 
have been observed as regards dried and fresh specimens 
of various plants. This has been studied in detail with 
belladonna, cimicifuga, gelsemium, hyoscyamus, and Pul- 
satilla. 

Many medicinal plants have no appreciable odor until 
a branch is broken off or they are otherwise crushed. 
Chlorophyll exists in all plants, and its change or de- 
generation is due to the oxidizing ferments contained in 
the cells of the fresh plants. A ferment action is initiated 
so soon as there is any solution of continuity or the plant 
is separated from its stem, and then the chlorophyll is soon 
destroyed. Changes within root structure are usually due 
to resinous matters. When a plant is uprooted from the 
soil, is crushed or severed from the stem, the end of or- 
ganic existence begins and the plant dies just as does an 
animal, only more slowly and in detail. Micro-organ- 
isms collect in the plant tissues and multiply with enor- 
mous rapidity. No amount of care in curing or drying 
can do more than merely modify the changes so produced. 
Left alone, the plant rots ; carefully handled, it ferments 
and destructive changes occur in it, destroying volatile 



24 Tinctures. 

and even alkaloidal constituents and developing the dele- 
terious products of fermentation and decay. These 
changes have an important bearing upon the active prin- 
ciples and the medicinal value of a large number of our 
plant remedies. The argument of dollars and cents will 
not serve to minimize the importance of these considera- 
tions. 

The tall crowfoot and other weeds are known to cause 
abortion in cows. Many weeds will injure the stock, and 
yet when the grass crop is cut, weeds and all, it is seldom 
that the hay does much damage in this direction. Ani- 
mal instinct does not always serve to warn against in- 
jurious weeds in the field or in the manger. In Germany, 
wind-flower or Pulsatilla is a weed of this character. It 
is dangerous only when in its green state. In the curing 
of the tobacco leaf infinite care is taken, and even cultures 
of certain bacteria are sprinkled upon the leaf in order 
to modify the kind of decomposition occurring during the 
drying process. We all know the differences between 
fresh and dried fruit, but we can enjoy dried apples or 
peaches, since their flavors are not so volatile and they do 
not decay too rapidly during the drying process ; but we 
would not so much care for dried strawberries or pine- 
apples. If the articles of food value are influenced by 
drying, and common experience testifies to the fact that 
most plants we eat are so influenced, why do we neglect 
this factor in the infinitely more complex relationships 
plants sustain to us as medicines? Many of the thera- 
peutic actions in small doses cannot be obtained with 
Huidextracts and tinctures made in the usual manner, 
owing to the almost entire absence of certain volatile con- 
stituents. Quite naturally, this is purely a matter of 
chemistry, and does not apply to plants of more stable 
chemic structure. Persons practically conversant with 



Tinctures. 25 

the complexities of plant chemistry will not feel that it 
is drawing things to too fine a point to insist upon these 
matters even in our lack of ability to always define the 
exact nature and action of these elusive and not always 
well-defined substances. 

Several kinds of green plant tinctures are upon the 
market. Many discriminating clinicians report much 
satisfaction from the use of "German tinctures." They 
cost about $2.50 per pound, and are of the highest grade 
therapeutically and pharmaceutically. 

Homoeopathic Mother Tinctures are all designated 
by the Greek letter theta (©). 

The strict homoeopath insists upon the elaborate rules 
of Hahnemann, as instanced in the "American Homceo- 
pathic Pharmacopoeia," by which the expressed juice of 
the fresh plant is combined with alcohol wherever pos- 
sible, although some of these tinctures are prepared by 
maceration similarly to our own official tinctures and 
commonly in the same or greater relative proportions of 
plant to alcohol, so that these homoeopathic green plant 
mother tinctures are very active preparations. The weak- 
est of them represent one part in eleven, belladonna being 
the principal one of this strength. A large number of 
poisonous substances, such as aconite, are one part in 
seven. Care must be taken to employ them in smaller 
doses than the U. S. P. tinctures. Many less active ones 
are made in greater concentration. A few, as instanced 
especially by ipecac and nux vomica, are not made from 
the green plant. 

The homoeopathic profession in the United States is 
divided in sentiment over a good many matters pertaining 
to their own school, and a large number insist upon em- 
ploying their own tinctures more or less for their physio- 
logic actions. This has resulted in the "Homoeopathic 



26 Tinctures. 

Pharmacopoeia of the United States." In this work the 
amount of moisture in the green plant is always esti- 
mated, and the tinctures are all made as representing one 
part in ten of the dried herb. The green plant and pure 
alcohol are used and the proportions of plant and alcohol 
vary, since some plants are more succulent than are 
others. The finished product, it is readily seen, is iden- 
tical in drug value to our own tinctures, only made from 
the recent plant in nearly every instance. A high-class 
homoeopathic pharmacist is almost fanatical in his care 
in making mother tinctures ; consequently, these tinctures 
are really of the very highest order of excellence and 
must be given in even smaller doses than our own one-in- 
ten tinctures because of their high physiologic activity 
due to using the green plant, most thorough exhaustion 
of the drug, and the employment of full strength alcohol 
in tincturing. 

These latter one-in-ten tinctures are the strength 
always considered in this work when homoeopathic 
mother tinctures are spoken of in the Materia Medica 
section. Homoeopaths have a penchant for using highly 
poisonous substances, in dilutions of course, and the tinc- 
tues from which these dilutions are made are highly 
toxic. Some of them are not familiar to the regular 
school, such as Agaricus muscarius, ^Ethusa, Ailanthus, 
etc. It is wise to try no experiments with these com- 
paratively unknown substances, and the doses given in 
this book should not often be exceeded, so far as con- 
cerns these toxic agents. 

Ecxectic Tinctures. The eclectics have been most 
fortunate in having had identified with them two such 
eminently scientific pharmaceutic chemists as Prof. J. Uri 
Lloyd and Dr. William S. Merrell. Headed by these 
gentlemen, the school has developed the chemistry and 



Tinctures. 27 

pharmacy of plant medicaments in a manner of vital 
interest and importance to all physicians, whether em- 
ploying them as the eclectics do or in other manners. 

Two lines of their preparations are upon the market : 
the so-called ''specific medicines" of Lloyd and the "nor- 
mal tinctures" of Merrell. The former have more offi- 
cial eclectic recognition, although the latter are identical 
with them except in a few instances. The former have 
probably been a little more developed in detail, and espe- 
cially as concerns a few drugs, but the two lines of prep- 
arations in most essential particulars are parallel. Be- 
cause of their official standing we will discuss the former, 
although equally commending the "normal tinctures." 

The name "specific medicine" is rather unfortunate. 
The eclectics do not mean them as specific in disease, but 
as specifically representing the active medicinal content 
of the drug employed. Pharmaceutical^ they are high- 
grade tinctures, one minim of which represents one grain 
of the dry crude drug. They are largely used by regular 
physicians, who call them Lloyd's tinctures. Their labels 
bear the eclectic indications, and their so-called "usual 
prescription," but a table of minimum and maximum 
doses is issued by the manufacturers. Extensive use of 
them upon the part of the author suggests the caution 
that many of them should be administered in only half 
the dose of the usual grade of fluidextracts, when given 
for the full physiologic effect, until one has cautiously 
felt his way in each individual case. 

Their great activity is readily explained, since they are 
made usually of plants in their green or recent state 
(some of the "specific medicines" are chemicals, how- 
ever), and the few not worked fresh are subjected to 
special processes in drying. Also, it may be said that 
their high price justifies the makers in purchasing the 



28 TlNCTURKS. 

cream of the available supply, just like a few of our 
fluidextract manufacturers do. 

The process employed varies with the substance used, 
but is usually a combined maceration and percolation with 
the aid of ingenious concentrating apparatus in which 
heat is not employed. Strong grain alcohol is the men- 
struum, and individual processes are used with different 
drugs to get rid of inert resins, extractive matter, starches, 
coloring matter, and plant detritus. The result is a clean 
and highly active tincture. In administering remedies for 
their actions in small doses, these products present dis- 
tinct advantages over ordinary tinctures and fluidextracts, 
and our rather conservative official standards could most 
advantageously incorporate some of these processes in 
the elaboration of official preparations. 

In practical use the "specific medicines," the "normal 
tinctures," and the "mother tinctures" do not present their 
claims so tangibly in the large as in the small dose. A 
really high-grade fluidextract is a tincture to all intents 
and purposes, only it is stronger than are the usual tinc- 
tures. The amount of inert substances in the fluidextract 
is relatively large or small according to the menstruum 
and the processes of extraction employed, and, in the 
large dose, they do not much interfere with the action 
of the active principles of the drug, but we should employ 
the green plant fluidextract or the assayed product in the 
instances already dwelt upon. In the small dose many 
of the high-grade fluidextracts do very well, but in gen- 
eral the special tinctures made from green drugs are dis- 
tinctly preferable. One wants as little admixture of inert 
substances as is possible, since they interfere with the 
action of the small portion of active medicine present, and 
this is particularly true when they are added to water and 
the precipitated resins carry down and sometimes react 



Dispensing. 29 

upon the proximate principles of the plant. Again, the 
action in small doses is not always due to alkaloidal sub- 
stances or the generally considered active principles. 
These volatile or readily destroyed ingredients of the 
green plant are rarely found in any appreciable quan- 
tity at all in a fluidextract, as they are dissipated in the 
drying of the plant or in its manufacture into the fluid- 
extract. 

It is far from our purpose to appear pedantic or dis- 
loyal to the regular school of medicine, and it will prob- 
ably be hard to convince the physician who knows that 
good fluidextracts do not fail him in the usual doses, 
that they are apt not to do so well in small doses; yet 
any one practically conversant with the matters here dis- 
cussed will bear out, in the main at least, our present 
contention. Most unfortunately, our fluidextracts are 
being altogether too much displaced by proprietary elixirs 
and by ineligible tablet forms of vegetable drugs. It im- 
presses the writer that this is far more disloyal to our 
own school than it is to define the limitations of the 
fluidextract; and it is distinctly detrimental to scientific 
medicine to discard our own carefully worked out offi- 
cial formulae in favor of the commercially prompted 
efforts of men who seldom know so much about drugs as 
do the able and distinguished gentlemen who go to in- 
finite pains to render accurate and efficient our own offi- 
cial standards. In the following pages ec. tr. will be used 
to specify all standard preparations of this kind. 

Dispensing Fluids. It has become quite the custom 
to eliminate fluids from the portable medicine case. Per- 
mit the suggestion to all readers who practice with tab- 
lets that a list of twenty liquids be prepared, and, with 
that before you, go over in review the run of cases met 
with in which bedside dispensing is proper. Then think 



30 Dispensing. 

of the indications to be met with these liquids, singly or 
in combination, and how you can modify the strength or 
relative proportions to suit varying ages and personality. 
Now estimate how many different kinds of simple and 
combination tablets it would take to meet these same in- 
dications. It would be very easy to run the list up to 
two hundred if one felt inclined to press the point. Of 
course, one wants some pills, tablets, and powdered drugs 
in his case as well. 

Ordinary tinctures are too large in dose to be well 
adapted to carry in portable cases, but fluidextracts and 
the eclectic tinctures are not. Fluidextracts of ipecac, 
ergot, and cannabis indica, spirits of glonoin, tr. opium, 
chlorodyne, eclectic tinctures of aconite, belladonna, gel- 
semium, digitalis, nux vomica, sanguinaria (all of which 
mix with water without precipitation), Norwood's vera- 
trum viride, chloroform, liq. ferri chloridi, brandy, ess. 
pepsin, a bromide or chloral mixture, and some reliable 
fluid antiseptic, like carbolic acid, or one of the various 
cresol preparations, are all fluids exceedingly useful and 
cannot be satisfactorily displaced with powders or tablets. 

In dispensing fluids for their actions in small doses, it 
is well to mix them with water containing just sufficient 
glycerine or alcohol (preferably glycerine) to prevent the 
souring of the mixture. Combining with them syrups 
and elixirs ofttimes defeats the end aimed at by the medi- 
cine. A large proportion of the eclectic tinctures mix 
clearly with water, and a day's supply of medicine can 
be mixed simply with clean water, covered, and kept in 
a cool room. When sp. etheris nitrosi is indicated, it may 
be combined with nearly any of the fluidextracts for bed- 
side medication. 

Fluids given for their actions in large doses can be 
combined with simple elixir or just sufficient tr. carda- 



Tablets. 31 

momi comp. or tr. gentianse comp., ess. pepsin, syr. rhei 
aromat, sherry wine, neutralizing cordial, mint or cinna- 
mon water, or any indicated substance suitable to the case ; 
but the practice of mixing up several liquids with syrups 
or highly flavored elixirs is mentioned only to be con- 
demned. 

One-ounce vials are convenient for a business man to 
carry, and it is not at all hard to administer fluids to 
cover most indications, with the dose not exceeding fifteen 
or twenty drops. Some patients have a fancy for homoeo- 
pathic sugar disks. When drop-or-two doses of a purely 
alcoholic medicine suffices, a vial of disks medicated with 
the remedy is very convenient to the patient. Aconite, 
belladonna, bryonia, nux vomica, and a few other drugs 
are given in sufficiently small doses as to admit of this 
method, but our official tinctures are not purely alcoholic 
and the water in them makes the disks soften or adhere. 

Tablets and Triturates. The tablet form of medi- 
cation, owing to its convenience and accuracy, has taken 
a more or less permanent hold upon the profession. 
Within proper limitations they are to be commended as 
suitable for the administration of many chemicals, pow- 
dered drugs, resins, extracts, and some of the alkaloids; 
but to attempt to cover the entire therapeutic range or to 
incorporate some of the delicate plant products with tab- 
lets is neither good pharmacy nor good therapeutics. In 
general, the attempt to administer organic drugs for their 
indications in small doses in tablet form has yielded re- 
sults inferior to that obtained with liquids. 

Tablet triturates are usually preferable to compressed 
tablets of usual make. All schools of medicine make 
their tablet triturates in essentially the same manner, but 
the homoeopaths continue the trituration for a much 
longer time in order to "potentize" the drug. While the 



32 Alkaloids. 

theory must be accepted with an exceedingly large meas- 
ure of reserve, the practice of long trituration is to be 
commended. Their ix trituration tablets of mercurius 
dulcis is to be preferred to our usually made i-io gr. tab- 
let triturate of calomel. It is identically the same dose 
of the same drug, but the long-continued trituration makes 
it act more efficiently than do our tablets. This same 
applies to several other but slightly soluble or insoluble 
drugs. 

Alkaloids. An ex-president of the American Phar- 
maceutical Association has recently said: "The alkaloid, 
quinine, discovered by Gomes, of Lisbon, in 1812, was 
second only to morphine, discovered by Derosne in 1803. 
These two alkaloids, powerful in themselves, led thought 
in the direction of proximate basic plant principles, de- 
signed to replace established drugs. 

"Very rationally, if a person considers only certain 
phases of these two useful alkaloids, did men argue that 
a chemist had but to pick an active proximate principle 
out of each remedial drug. . . . That fad came in over 
one hundred years ago, and between the discovery of the 
first alkaloid, morphine, and the present date lies a 
threshed-out pile of straw that staggers him who thinks 
of wasted energies. Some grain has been discovered, it 
is true ; some rich gifts to therapy, which are to be grate- 
fully credited to the faddists' cause. But in the face of 
the amount of straw and blasted hopes that litter phar- 
macy's pages, it would seem as if reflective men might 
well ask, 'Is not a hundred years of time enough for men, 
with the record of great hopes and much disappointment 
before them, to be involved in a fallacy?' 

"The fact is, only a comparatively few plants contain 
or yield alkaloids in appreciable amount, and of the 
known alkaloids only a few are of any established thera- 



Alkaloids. 33 

peutic value whatever. Besides, many separated alka- 
loids are more harmful than useful, while the finer at- 
tributes of certain drugs cannot be obtained in the pres- 
ence of the overpowering alkaloid." 

Historically, the following extract from the "Encyclo- 
pedia Americana" covers the ground: "Prof. John King 
discovered and introduced the resins of podophyllum and 
macrotys, which, together with the alkaloids of Hydrastis 
and sanguinaria, were afterwards prepared by Dr. Will- 
iam Stanley Merrell. These valuable agents, together 
with the oleoresins of iris and capsicum, attracted the 
attention of pharmacists. A host of indefinite compounds 
was added by others, and the market was flooded with 
what purported to be eclectic resinoids or concentrations. 
This heterogeneous class of pharmacals was denounced 
by Prof. King and others, who had sought to introduce 
only elegant and definite compounds. This much-abused 
class of resinoids served, however, a temporarily useful 
purpose in the evolution of a more perfect materia medica. 
Of these preparations only those made after the methods 
of Dr. King and the alkaloids of hydrastis and san- 
guinaria have survived, and singularly are now mostly 
employed by practicians of the dominant school." 

Pharmaceutically, the substances we have discussed 
bear a definite relationship to the drug, whereas resinoids, 
such as leptandrin, caulophyllin, euonymin, stillingia, and 
others are about equivalent to purified powdered extracts. 
Aconitine, atropine, and other alkaloids are much more 
definite and stable substances than are these resinoids and 
concentrations. Some of the glucosides, such as digi- 
toxin, are very active and are moderately definite chemi- 
cally, whereas others are exceedingly disappointing. 
Veratrum viride has yielded a number of substances of 
alkaloidal characteristics, probably chemically-made frag- 



34 Alkaloids. 

ments and not natural integral parts of veratrum. None 
of them is of established therapeutic value. Gelsemium 
sempervirens is another drug of like characteristics. The 
alkaloid, gelsemine, produces the poisonous effects of 
gelsemium, but the writer speaks advisedly and after 
very large use of gelsemium in asserting that it has no 
true therapeutic representative in alkaloidal form. The 
root of this plant should not even be dried before tinc- 
turing, let alone split up and manipulated by chemicals, 
when one wants the true therapeutic action of this most 
valuable remedy. 

If one cares to undertake a discouraging task let him 
investigate the chemistry, and especially the alkaloidal 
chemistry, of jaborandi. Chemists have devoted years to 
the study of the various species of jaborandi, and the dis- 
tinctions and relationships of their chemical educts are 
still an enigma. 

These matters are entered into not to discourage the 
proper use of alkaloids and more or less chemically allied 
proximate principles, but to direct attention to the fact 
that the recent craze over alkaloids and the effort to 
overdo alkaloidal medication illustrates the old saying, 
"there is nothing new under the sun," and, further, to 
combat the statement, so commonly and erroneously made, 
that in alkaloids we have sure and definite medicaments 
much preferable to the galenicals themselves. It is true, 
however, that the very excellent alkaloidal granules now 
marketed by a few houses are more definite and reliable 
medicaments than are the great body of the atrocious 
mixtures made of third-grade drugs and sold cheaply 
through irresponsible physicians' supply houses in the 
form of compressed tablets. 

Alkaloids have their legitimate place, and as emer- 
gency remedies or to employ in the initial stages of dis- 



Synthetics. 35 

ease sharply marked by disturbances of innervation, circu- 
lation, and temperature, they are distinctly useful if cau- 
tiously and conservatively employed, but the faddist who 
employs them in the main in the regular conduct of his 
cases is one-sided and is not doing his duty by his pa- 
tients. 

Synthetics. Alkaloids, the result of analysis, are more 
or less incomplete and uncertain plant representatives. 
Synthetics are even more uncertain, being the result not 
of nature's slow but of man's rapid synthesis. This de- 
veloping branch of chemistry doubtless has a great future 
before it, and therapeutics will ultimately be much in- 
debted to it. But at present a large proportion of the 
synthetic products are chemicals whose molecules are held 
in somewhat unstable equilibrium and are peculiarly liable 
to disintegration and interchange. For this reason a hope- 
ful conservatism should mark our employment of them. 

Certain synthetics have become well known ; their physi- 
ologic actions have been definitely worked out, their in- 
compatibilities are determined, and their contraindica- 
tions are defined. These are probably permanent addi- 
tions to our therapeutic resources. On the other hand, 
a host of untried and unnecessary ones are arising. We 
know but little about them, and obtaining clinical data 
concerning them constitutes more or less of a hazard to 
our patients. In the day when the people dosed them- 
selves with herbs, even though usually wrongly directed, 
they seldom worked any positive harm, but now these 
potent synthetics in lay hands are causing a world of 
injury. 

From the standpoint of this author there are two great 
objections to the synthetics. First, their lack of stability 
renders them liable to unaccountable and erratic action 
due to chemical reactions in the human body not well 



36 Ckrates. 

understood and varying with individual and pathologic 
states. Of course, this can be said of drugs other than 
synthetics, but it applies to the former in lesser degree. 
The objection can be partially met by administering syn- 
thetics alone, never combining with other drugs except 
stimulants and substances destitute of chemical reactions. 
Secondly, the synthetics seldom act except in the full 
physiologic dose. 

Their detailed consideration in this volume will be un- 
dertaken to but a very limited extent, confining attention 
to what is definitely known concerning the safe employ- 
ment of those better studied and largely employed by 
conservative prescribers. 

Ointments and Ceratks of the U. S. P. are so ad- 
mirable and so well known that little need be said of them 
here. The homoeopaths employ an extensive line of green 
plant cerates, usually of 25% strength. They are very 
active preparations, aconite, sesculus, bryonia, calendula, 
hamamelis, hydrastis, phytolacca, plantago, stramonium, 
and thuja being the principal ones. 

The eclectics use a similar line of cerates, laying espe- 
cial stress upon echinacea, stillingia, and juniper. They 
have an ointment representative of the alkaloids of to- 
bacco and fancifully styled "Dynamine." This same, com- 
bined with a modern substitute for their old "compound 
lobelia powder" in cerate form, is called "Ljbradol," a 
pain relieving and relaxing application requiring care that 
sufficient is not absorbed by the skin to cause emesis. 
With careful use it is a valuable agent. These ointments 
and cerates with official sectarian sanction constitute a 
useful accessory to our own official list. Combined, they 
cover every indication and render the host of proprietary 
ointments quite superfluous. 



Formulary. 37 

The: National Formulary. For many years an effort 
has been made to unify formulae for ready-made mixtures 
and to place these preparations upon a more scientific basis. 
This effort has taken concrete form in the National For- 
mulary, a careful study of which we here take the liberty 
of commending. It is to be regretted that this splendid 
collection of formulae is not in more general use, paral- 
leling, as it does, nearly all the really useful proprietary 
compounds, the extensive advertising of which is paid for 
by the man with the prescription. 

To be just to the proprietary interests, it may be well 
to say that there are a few preparations not susceptible of 
any but most elaborate manipulation and which are, in 
the very nature of the case, proprietary and strictly ethi- 
cal; but this modern necessity has been abused very 
largely by small concerns wishing to make money under 
the guise of science and by the large manufacturers very 
unjustly pirating each other's specialties. As a matter of 
fact, a large proportion of the proprietaries extensively 
prescribed by the regular profession are old eclectic for- 
mulae, while some of them are homoeopathic and are made 
from mother tinctures. 

Permit a final exhortation urging all physicians to 
study the legitimate pharmacy of all schools. What is 
herein recorded is a mere outline. Our best reply to the 
sectarians is to employ all their resources of real utility, 
for you can rest assured that they employ ours. So soon 
as the public learns that sectarianism has nothing tangible 
to offer, sectarian names will cease to pay and there will 
be but one school of medicine, to the benefit of all legiti- 
mate interests concerned. 



Part II. 
MATERIA MEDICA. 

This alphabetically arranged materia medica being not 
designed as a guide for class-room work, chemic and 
botanic descriptions may very properly be omitted except 
with unfamiliar drugs. Toxicology not especially con- 
cerning our present range of study, it will also be omitted 
except in a few salient details. 

Physiologic Actions will be given in as simple and 
direct a manner as possible and divided into two head- 
ings, viz. : the physiologic action of the larger but non- 
toxic dose, and the physiologic action of the small dose. 
Our principal guides in defining the physiologic actions 
have been the writings of Bartholow, Wood, and Hare 
upon our official drugs ; of EHingwood upon drugs espe- 
cially developed by the eclectics; of G. Hardy Clark (an 
advocate of the modern homoeopathy as opposed to 
Hahnemannism in therapeutics) upon remedies of homoe- 
opathic origin; of Coblentz and "Merck's 1905 Manual" 
upon synthetics, alkaloids, and rare chemicals ; while vari- 
ous drug studies and journal articles supply data upon 
drugs of recent introduction. Definite Symtomatology 
and direct actions rather than purely laboratory data are 
given, and the actions upon man, excluding those based 
upon experimental studies upon the lower animals, are 
alone referred to here. 

38 



Notes. 39 

Doses have been arrived at by careful comparisons of 
those recommended by medical and not by pharmaceutic 
authors. The dose of the crude drug is omitted in most 
instances, and all doses given are those for adults except 
where specific reference is made to infantile diseases. 

The eighth decennial revision (1905) of the United 
States Pharmacopoeia is the basis of official preparations 
and the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States 
of homoeopathic preparations, while the American Dis- 
pensatory officially represents eclectic pharmaceuticals. 
They are our guides in the preparation of much of the 
data in this volume. 



Note. — The following abbreviations are used: Tr. sig- 
nifies the 1905 U. S. P. tincture; f.e. the Huidextract ; 
© the mother tincture ; ix, 2x or $x the attenuation rep- 
resented by 1-10, 1-100 and 1-1000 respectively of drug 
strength; ec. tr. means the standard eclectic tinctures, 
placed on the market under various names, as "specific 
medicines" "normal tinctures',' etc. No metric abbrevia- 
tions are used. Especial Attention is called to the fact 
that doses of fluids are given in minims, not in drops. 
This makes some doses appear small upon first thought, 
but it conforms to the wise basis of the U. S. P. Drops 
are too uncertain a standard of dosage, and with many 
tinctures the drop is much less than the minim. 



Note to the Reader. — It is absolutely necessary to 
read the preceding portion of this work in order to prop- 
erly understand what is said under the following different 
drug headings : 



4 o 



.BIDS. 



Abies. Abies canadensis, or hemlock spruce, supplies 
a gum known as Canada pitch. From it a plaster is pre- 
pared possessing rubefacient properties. Oil of hemlock 
is prepared by distilling its branches with water. It pos- 
sesses terebinthinate diuretic properties, which, combined 
with balsams, expectorants, and other diuretics, has been 
employed in a large range of affections of a catarrhal 
character. A tincture of the fresh inner bark is more 
suited to internal administration. It is a terebinthinate 
astringent, useful in chronic coughs with free expectora- 
tion. Give doses, in syrup or elixir, of from 5 to 15 Tr^. 

In small doses (© 3 to 5 TTL or ec. tr. pinus, 1 or 2 n\ 
frequently repeated and gradually increased), it is useful 
in catarrhal conditions of the stomach accompanied by 
abdominal distention, and in the chronic gastro-intestinal 
troubles of poorly nourished children. Give very small 
doses in the babe's food, and cautiously increase as it is 
tolerated. 

Abies nigra, or black spruce, is of too irritating a char- 
acter to use in large doses, although its action is along 
similar lines to the hemlock spruce. 

In small doses (© 1 to 3 nt, well diluted) it is useful 
in the atonic dyspeptic troubles of the aged. It should 
not be given to children. It is sometimes of use in con- 
stipation due to deficient peristalsis. 

AcETanilid, in proper doses, is rapidly eliminated, but 
retards nitrogenous tissue waste. Not directly influencing 
the circulatory apparatus, yet it inhibits heat production, 
and so indirectly depresses respiration and circulation. 
Its long-continued administration favors the production 
of methemoglobin, and ultimately may cause degenera- 
tive tissue changes. It is antipyretic, analgesic, and anti- 



Acetates. 41 

septic. Its administration should be guarded, and stimu- 
lants, such as caffeine, may be advantageously combined 
with it. 

Dose, 3 to 10 grains. Avoid large doses in fever, and 
do not use in anemic headache. It may be used in 1 to 
500 solution as a preservative of hypodermic solutions. 
The proprietary admixtures of this drug are in no man- 
ner superior to the Pulvis acetanilidi compositus of the 
U. S. P. (acetanilid, 70% ; caffeine, 10% ; sodium bicarb., 
20%. Dose, 3 to 15 gr.). 

Acetate: of Potassium and Acetate of Zinc. See 
Potassium Acetate and Zinc Acetate. 

Acetous Tinctures have been frequently urged upon 
the profession. The U. S. P. gives official sanction to 
Acetum opii, a 10%, the average dose of which is 8 TTL, 
and a similar preparation of squill, the average dose of 
which is 15 Til. 

An old eclectic "acetous tincture of bloodroot and lo- 
belia" is still somewhat in use, and is a most eligible 
remedy in croup and tight coughs. Dose, 10 to 60 Til. 
The U. S. P. recognizes acetic fluidextracts of lobelia, 
sanguinaria, and squill. 

Acid, Arsenous. See under heading of Arseni trioxi- 
dum. 

Acidum Benzoicum, in doses of 10 to 30 gr., is anti- 
pyretic and antilithic, but is too stimulating to the brain 
to be administered for long periods. Doses of 10 or 15 
grains are of advantage in the irritation of the sympa- 
thetic and spinal nerves caused by an excess of uric acid. 
Long-continued administration sometimes gives rise to 
irritation of the gastro-intestinal tract. This acid acts by 



42 ACTDUM BoRICUM. 

reason of its conversion into hippuric acid, thus rendering 
the urine acid. When the normal acidity is reached dur- 
ing the administration of benzoic acid for its antilithic 
influence, it is proper to reduce the dose. With due pre- 
cautions the full physiologic action can be induced with 
safety. Sodium benzoate has a similar action. Natu- 
rally, conditions of urinary incontinence, urethral irrita- 
tion, and cystitis, caused either by alkalinity or by phos- 
phatic deposits, are markedly benefited by its adminis- 
tration. It also reduces the acidity of uric-acid urine. 

In small doses it is expectorant, useful in chronic 
coughs, and the cough of women in which urine dribbles 
away during the paroxysms. Dissolve 3i in alcohol fgii 
and administer in 3 to 20 drop doses. Small amounts of 
this acid can be advantageously ingested by the free use 
of prunes, which contain it. 

Acidum Boricum in large doses depresses the spinal 
centers and disturbs digestion. Moderate doses some- 
times occasion cutaneous irritation, with ecchymosis and 
edema. It is employed internally in cystitis and abnormal 
gastric fermentations with success, but in general its in- 
ternal administration should be only for short intervals. 
Dose, 3 to 10 grains. 

Externally, it is a non-irritating and moderately effec- 
tive antiseptic with a wide range of application. In oint- 
ments it is commonly made up in 5 to 10% ; in aqueous 
solutions, 1 to 4% ; in combination with glycerin, 5 to 
10% ; in eye lotions generally, 5 grains to f§i ; while for 
styes, 15 grains to water fgi. 

Acidum Carboucum. See Phenol. 

Acidum Hydriodicum Diujtum (U. S. P. 10%). 
Used in doses of 5 to 15 TTt- 

Syrupus acidi hydriodici (U. S. P. 1% by weight). 
Used in doses of V 2 to 2 f3. 



Acidum Hydriodtcum. 43 

This rather unstable but valuable agent is indicated 
when iodine in a nascent state is desired. See Iodine. 

Acidum Hydrochloricu.m Diujtum (U. S. P. 10%). 
Tonic, refrigerant, antiseptic, and to counteract phos- 
phatic deposits in urine. 

The symptomatic indications usually calling for this 
acid are the deep red tongue with dusky red mucous mem- 
branes. 

In typhoid conditions generally, and where there is a 
scanty secretion of gastric juice, it is a useful agent in 
doses of from 5 to 20 drops, well diluted. Given before 
meals, it is effective in controlling excessive secretion of 
gastric juice. 

Acidum Nitricum Diujtum (U. S. P. 10%). Tonic, 
antiseptic, astringent, and alterative. It stimulates the 
intestinal glands. In doses of from 5 to 20 Tit, well di- 
luted, it is useful in chronic hepatitis and intestinal in- 
digestion and when oxalates are deposited in the urine. 
Where diarrhea persists after an attack of indigestion, it 
is a most useful remedy. Where constipation exists, 
hydrochloric acid is preferable. 

In small doses (1 to 5 1T|,) the dilute acid is alterative, 
markedly stimulating metabolism. For this reason its 
prolonged administration in small doses is indicated in 
chronic rheumatism, syphilis, old ulcers, chronic bron- 
chitis with profuse expectoration, and in chronic liver 
complaints as an adjuvant to other treatment. 

Acidum Phosphoricum Diujtum (U. S. P. 10%). 
Tonic and refrigerant ; stimulates the nutrition of the 
nerve tissues, eliminates insoluble phosphates, and stimu- 
lates the sexual function. Dose, 20 to 60 TTL. 

In small doses (5 to 10 ff\), combined with a bitter 
tonic, this agent serves very well in the subjective and 



44 Acidum PlCRICUM. 

often imaginary pain and distress of depressed and irri- 
table persons verging upon hysterical manifestations of 
the quiet, stubborn type. In small doses it is a valuable 
tonic to rapidly growing young people under the mental 
stress of school and college work and in the debility fol- 
lowing acute disease. Some homoeopathic surgeons assert 
that very small doses will relieve the peculiar neurosis in 
the stump sometimes following amputation. 

Acidum Picricum. Yellow crystals, odorless, and in- 
tensely bitter. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloro- 
form, and slightly so in water. It is poisonous, acting as 
an irritating depressant, causing profuse diarrhea, con- 
vulsions, and collapse. The antidote is albumin. It is 
incompatible with all oxidizable substances, albumin, al- 
kaloids, etc., and with sulphur and phosphorus is explo- 
sive. Never apply to the skin either in substance or in 
ointment, as toxic results may follow. The maximum 
dose is 5 grains, and it may be administered safely in 
doses of I grain in trichiniasis, but its general use inter- 
nally as an antiperiodic and antiseptic cannot be com- 
mended in view of its toxicity. 

Externally, it may be applied to burns of not very great 
superficial area, using y 2 to i% hydro-alcoholic solution 
for only a few minutes, then covering with cotton. Do 
not renew application more frequently than once in three 
days. It controls pain and rapidly promotes healing, but 
is an agent to be used with the greatest of care and not 
at all in extensive or deep burns. 

In small doses it has been employed in degenerative 
changes in the spinal cord, but the present writer regards 
it very unfavorably. 

Acidum Saucyljcum (Synthetic) forms a very per- 
fect chemical substitute for salicylic acid prepared from 
oil of wintergreen. Physiologically, the actions of the 



Acidum Saucyucum. 45 

two substances are not identical, although somewhat simi- 
lar. Therapeutically, the synthetic acid serves admirably 
as a cheap substitute for true salicylic acid, and may be 
employed in the same dose and for the same indications, 
provided the patient is robust and has a stomach not 
readily disturbed. It is a very efficient antiseptic. 

Acidum Saucyucum (From Oil of Wintergreen). 
This is the substance upon which the reputation of sali- 
cylic acid is based, and many discriminating physicians 
will not employ the synthetic acid internally. Synthetic 
oil of wintergreen has been prepared and synthetic sali- 
cylic acid purporting to be true acid has been made from 
it. This is a fraud upon the part of the maker that has 
vastly complicated the already much involved therapy of 
salicylic acid. A conservative view of the matter makes 
it appear that the natural acid produces less irritation 
than does the synthetic, is eliminated more rapidly, and 
has a more regular and reliable influence where the tem- 
perature is elevated. 

Salicylic acid produces tinnitus, a reduction of reflex 
action, depression of cerebration, reduces temperature, is 
diaphoretic and antiseptic, and is apt to irritate the kid- 
neys. 

The unaltered acid is employed in ulcerations and can- 
cerous conditions of the stomach and in foul breath and 
offensive expectoration. It is also used locally in various 
conditions. The average dose is about 7 or 8 grains. 

Sodium salicylate is usually preferred for internal ad- 
ministration in rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, and for its 
supposedly alterative properties. 

In small doses salicylic acid is employed in tonsilitis, 
giving 1 or 2 grains every two hours. It is highly efficient 
where there is a septic influence or the follicles of the 
tonsils are involved. Homoeopathic physicians assert that 



46 Minor Acids. 

1 -10 gr. doses relieve many of the symptoms of Meniere's 
disease. 

Externally, salicylic acid is used in the treatment of 
indolent ulcers, cold abscesses, chilblains, pruritus, and 
many skin affections. 

Acids of Minor Therapeutic Importance. Dilute 
Acetic, refrigerant and astringent, 30 TT\, ; Camphoric, 
antiseptic in cystitis, gonorrhea, etc., 15 gr. ; Citric, anti- 
scorbutic and refrigerant, 7 gr. ; Hydrocyanic, antispas- 
modic in small doses (see Amygdalus persica) ; Lactic, 
caustic applied 50 to 80% ; internally in dyspepsia, diar- 
rhea, and diabetes, 15 to 30 TTL, well diluted; Dilute 
Nitrohydrochloric, in jaundice, biliary calculi, etc., 15 
TTL, well diluted; Oxalic, emmenagogue and sedative, j/£ 
gr. ; Sulphuric (aromatic), 15 n\, diluted; Tannic, as- 
tringent and styptic, 5 to 10 gr. styptic collodion, 20% 
tannic acid, glycerite and ointment the same ; Tartaric, 
refrigerant and antiscorbutic, 10 gr. ; Trichloracetic, es- 
charotic, astringent, and hemostatic; used to remove 
venereal and other warts, nsevi, pigment patches, papil- 
lomata, etc. (full strength). As astringent and hemo- 
static, 1 to 3% solution. 

Aconitina (U. S. P.). Aconitine, an alkaloid ob- 
tained from aconite (crystalline). Antineuralgic, diu- 
retic, sudorific, and anodyne. Dose, 1-400 gr. several 
times a day, with caution. Externally, 1 to 2000 to 1 to 
500 parts of lard. Never use upon abraded surfaces, as 
too toxic. 

Alkaloidal granules of aconitine are not made of this 
potent U. S. P. preparation, but of the soluble amorphous 
aconitine, which is 1-15 as powerful, but, in less degree, 
is possessed of the same characteristics. Since aconite 
contains aconitine, pseudo-aconitine, aconine, pseudo- 
aconine, picraconitine, and aconitic acid, it is readily seen 



Aconitum. 47 

that no alkaloid really represents the full therapeutic range 
of aconite. 

Aconitum,, Aconite. For the toxic action of this drug 
consult the standard works. It is too dangerous a drug 
to employ in doses verging upon the toxic, and especial 
care should be exercised when the fiuidextract or the 
stronger tinctures are employed. Lloyd's aconite is espe- 
cially toxic, y 2 Vfl being the maximum medicinal dose. 
In employing it, it is best to dilute it with nine parts of 
j6% alcohol. 

Large medicinal doses, according to Bartholow, pro- 
duce gastric pain and nausea, reduce the number and 
force of the heart beats, and lower arterial tension ; there 
is increased action of the skin and kidneys, some muscu- 
lar weakness, and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting. These 
large doses are seldom employed except where muscular 
spasm accompanies sthenic febrile states. (Tr. 20 H\, ec. 

tr. y 2 1U.) 

Moderate medicinal doses, according to Hare, exercise 
"no marked effect on any part of the organism save the 
circulation, which becomes somewhat slower by stimula- 
tion of the vagus centers and by the drug acting as a 
sedative to the heart muscle itself." He suggests its em- 
ployment, broadly, in the early stages of all acute in- 
flammations, and externally as an anodyne application. 
He opposes the administration internally of either aconi- 
tine or Fleming's tincture. (Tr. 3 to 10 ir[.) 

In small doses aconite is a sedative, indicated when the 
pulse is small, hard, sharp, and quick with suppressed 
secretions and chilliness upon slight exposure. (Tr. 1 to 
3 TTt at a dose, ec. tr. 5 1TL to aqua fjiv, giving teaspoon- 
ful doses. The imported mother tincture is a superior 
preparation used in 1 to 3 Til doses.) 

A high-grade tincture of aconite is one of the most 



48 Adonidin. 

generally useful of remedies, indicated in the initial stage 
of fevers generally, and particularly in the exanthems and 
simple fevers of childhood. It is useful in capillary en- 
gorgement, and especially so if alternated with small dose& 
of belladonna. Aconite retards exudation, suppuration, 
and induration. In acute congestions, nervous palpita- 
tions, the first stage of enteritis with fever, myalgia, otitis, 
suppression of menses from cold, and catarrhal inflamma- 
tions of mucous membranes generally, it is a remedy for 
which we have no real substitute. 

Adonidin, a non-nitrogenous, colorless, odorless, and 
very bitter amorphous powder derived from Adonis ver- 
nalis. It increases arterial tension, is mildly diuretic, and 
acts promptly. It is valuable in mitral insufficiency and 
interstitial myocarditis. It is recommended in dyspnea, in 
nicotine poisoning, and chronic diffuse nephritis. 

The dose of Merck's adonidin is 1-16 to % grain. It 
is conveniently administered in the form of a tablet trit- 
urate. 

Adonis V^rnaus, Pheasant's eye, excites the inhibi- 
tory nerves of the heart at the central end; but large 
doses, long continued, are apt to paralyze the peripheral 
end of the vagus. The accelerating nerves are excited. 
The logical outcome is that this very energetic remedy, or 
adonidin, should be very carefully employed. Personal 
experience has taught the present author to depend upon 
this drug to give prompt results where indicated, and also 
to produce great discomfort when administered to per- 
sons having only temporary functional heart disturbances. 
(F.e. 1 to 2 H[, carefully employed.) Do not give to 
children. 

In small doses this agent has acted remarkably well in 
my hands in cases of venous engorgement and weak heart 
giving rise to varicose ulcers. Administer continuously 



Adrknaux. 49 

for several weeks, 1-3 to y 2 Til doses of the ec. tr. or f.e., 
or y 2 grain doses of the ix trituration of adonidin. 

Adrenalin, the blood-pressure-raising principle of the 
suprarenal gland and almost the exact physiological op- 
posite of glonoin. Both of these substances demand care- 
ful and detailed study in order to intelligently employ 
them internally. 

Adrenalin is probably the most efficient hemostatic and 
astringent known. Its surgical and special uses are many, 
but it is principally employed in hay fever ("adrenalin 
inhalant") and in iritis, conjunctivitis, and inflammations 
of the tonsils and larynx in solution (as chloride) in 1 
to 10,000 or 1 to 1000 of solvent. Internally, as a heart 
stimulant and in Addison's disease, 5 to 30 n\ of 1 to 1000 
solution. Its internal administration should not be lightly 
entered upon, but it is valuable if used strictly within its 
indications. 

iEscuLus Hippocastanum, Horse Chestnut, is tonic, 
astringent, febrifuge, antiseptic, and narcotic, but is rarely 
employed except in congestion of the colon, rectum, and 
pelvic viscera. Its tonic action is upon the cerebro-spinal 
system, but it is inferior to nux vomica in this regard. 
As a narcotic it acts similarly to opium, but is more 
feeble. It acts upon the portal circulation and lessens 
the caliber of the rectal capillaries, thus favorably influ- 
encing hemorrhoids, and more especially the large dry 
locally.) If the administration is prolonged give ® 1 Til 
t.i.d. 

^Escnlus glabra, or Ohio Buckeye, is a more toxic agent 
than the above-described remedy, more profoundly exert- 
ing its influence upon the nervous system. Its uses are 
similar, but it is to be preferred only when the action is 
to be directed deeper than the rectum; consequently, in 



50 ^Ethusa Cynapium. 

congestions of the uterus and of the portal system it is 
of service in many cases. 

Regular physicians have never appreciated aesculus for 
the very tangible reason that nearly all fluidextracts have 
been made from the dried bark, whereas it is the nut or 
fruit that is active. The sectarian tinctures are made of 
the recent nut and are highly active. The faint, anti- 
periodic properties possessed by the bark are of very little 
moment. In the popular mind, buckeye has long been 
esteemed in the treatment of rheumatism. Really, it has 
very little influence upon true rheumatism, but will re- 
lieve the backache affecting the sacrum and hips caused 
by portal congestion or by being upon the feet too much. 

JEthusa Cynapium, Fool's Parsley, is generally re- 
garded as being highly toxic, but has not been adequately 
investigated. 

In small doses it has long enjoyed some reputation in 
the gastro-intestinal catarrh of bottle-fed babies. It ap- 
pears to act best when the trouble is incidental to irrita- 
tion of the nervous system. While it cannot be regarded 
as a thoroughly reliable remedy, and without antiseptics 
in alternation with it usually dismally fails, yet it appears 
that I TTt doses of the first decimal dilution in alterna- 
tion with i-iooo grain doses of arsenite of copper is a 
fairly efficient treatment. 

Agaricus Muscarius, Fly Agaric, a poisonous fungus. 
This substance in attenuation is employed by some homoe- 
opathic physicians in various forms of cerebral excite- 
ment and the delirium of fevers (i TTt of the ix or 2x), 
but it has no established place in therapeutics and is 
dangerously toxic. So far as known, its action largely 
depends upon the contained muscarine. Merck's musca- 
rine nitrate, made up in alcoholic solution and employed 
in doses representing 1-30 to 1-15 grain of the nitrate, 



AlLANTHUS. 51 

is useful in night sweats and diabetes insipidus and to 
oppose the action of atropine, but the tincture of the 
fungus would better not be used in therapeutics. Agaricin 
represents it and can be employed in doses of % to 1 
grain, but is uncertain in action. 

Ai^anthus Glandulosa, Chinese Sumach or Tree of 
Heaven, a common shade tree. 

In large doses ailanthus depresses the functions of the 
brain and spinal cord, and its only successful employment 
in such doses is to expel tapeworm. For this purpose it 
is used in decoction. 

In small doses (ec. tr., y 2 to 1 TTL ; ©, 1 to 5 TIX ) it is one 
of the most direct of vegetable alteratives with antizy- 
motic properties and valuable in malignant forms of 
scarlet and other fevers, diseases with irritating and sep- 
tic discharges, septic sore throat, and in adynamic septic 
conditions generally. It does well in alternation with 
whatever medication is demanded, but it does not com- 
bine well with other drugs except the bitter tonics. It 
is incompatible with the salts of iron and lead. The fluid- 
extract must be given in doses not less than 5 Til, since 
it is made from the dried bark and the volatile principles 
are largely absent. This drug was at one time much 
employed in regular practice, and it is worthy of more 
general employment now, especially since recent investiga- 
tion has shown its real activity to reside in a volatile oil 
dissipated almost entirely in the preparations usually em- 
ployed. It is with regret that we are unable to commend 
its fluidextract, since regular physicians naturally prefer 
to use drugs obtained from non-sectarian sources. 

Aletris Farinosa, Star Grass, is a constituent of 
many of the more or less valuable proprietary "female 
restoratives" offered to physicians. It is one of a class 
of remedies roughly classed together and usually pre- 



52 Aluum Cspa. 

scribed in a hit or miss fashion. This should not be, and 
we will endeavor to give in this volume the definite in- 
dications for these agents separately. 

Aletris should be employed in anemic and relaxed con- 
ditions in the female pelvis associated with poor diges- 
tion. Adding to this will only cloud the subject. (F.e., 
io to 20 TTL.) 

AlI/IUM C^pa ©, a tincture made from a very acrid red 
onion. Eliminating all hypothetical matter, this tincture 
has been found of real value in the colds of vocalists in 
which the greatest annoyance is experienced upon en- 
tering a warm room. Give doses of 3 minims in diluted 
glycerine. 

Alnus Rubra, Tag Alder, in large doses of the fluid- 
extract (20 to 60 TIX) is alterative and tonic, improving 
nutrition and elimination. 

In small doses (ec. tr. 5 TT\) it has given moderate satis- 
faction as an alterative in pustular and acute eczematous 
diseases of the skin. 

AloKS and Ai/hn enter into many cathartic formulae, 
and, very properly, are rarely prescribed in large doses 
in an uncombined state. The average single dose of aloes 
is 4 grains, and of aloin 1 grain. 

In small doses (1-10 gr. granules of aloin) it is useful 
in re-establishing physiologic equilibrium in overdosed 
persons who insist upon taking medicine. Useful in por- 
tal congestions and the troubles of phlegmatic beer drink- 
ers and persons who overload themselves with starchy 
food and sweets. In still smaller doses it will often re- 
lieve a sense of insecurity in the rectum, but quite as often 
fails to do so. 

Acumen, Alum, in large dose (3i) emetic. Moderate 
doses (5 to 15 gr.) astringent, used in night sweats and 



Ammonium Bromide. 53 

diarrhea. Locally, astringent, and styptic. In small doses 
(1 gr.) has been used with reputed success in whooping 
cough where there is excessive expectoration and in the 
bronchial catarrhs of the aged. 

Ammonium Bromide, a nerve sedative useful in cere- 
bral excitement due to exhaustion or an overworked state 
of the nervous system. Owing to its ammonia base, it is 
especially applicable when a nerve sedative is indicated in 
asthenic conditions. It combines well with tonics (2 to 
20 gr.). 

Ammonium Carbonate:, a highly useful cardiac stimu- 
lant useful in collapse, surgical shock, syncope, and in the 
depression following profound anesthesia. It combines 
well with digitalis in this connection. Dose, 10 to 20 
grains in elixir or flavored syrup. 

In moderate doses (5 to 10 gr.) valuable as a stimu- 
lating antacid, as in hysteria with acid eructations and in 
sick headache. 

In small doses (1 to 5 gr.) a stimulating expectorant, 
used especially in the latter stages of bronchitis and in 
pneumonia. 

In febrile conditions with feebleness it is a stimulating 
diaphoretic, used in small and frequent doses in scarlet 
fever, measles, and erysipelas. 

Ammonium Chloride. In large doses (20 to 30 gr.) 
it has been advocated by Anstie, Ringer, and others in 
the treatment of neuralgia of a rheumatic or malarial 
type. Its administration must be pushed. 

In moderate doses (10 to 15 gr.) it is highly recom- 
mended in jaundice from catarrh of the bile ducts, since 
it increases and liquifies secretions. 

Catarrhs of all kinds are amenable to its influence, the 
dose depending upon the amount and character of the 
exudate. 



54 Ammonium. 

In small doses (i to 5 gr.) it is a valuable stimulating 
expectorant, combining well with other substances, and so 
well known as to demand no extended comment. 

Ammonium Iodide is asserted to be less irritating and 
depressing than is potassium iodide. Otherwise, the two 
salts are practically identical therapeutically. Dose, 3 to 
10 grains. 

Ammonium Valerianate, a stimulating sedative some- 
what similar to ammonium bromide, but is more readily 
tolerated by the stomach. It combines well with the bro- 
mides. Used in nervous headache, insomnia, and hysteria 
(2 to 8 gr.). The National Formulary elixir contains 2 
grains to the teaspoonful. 

Amygda^us Persica, Peach Bark, possesses slight 
sedative effects owing to a trace of hydrocyanic acid con- 
tained therein. The fresh infusion is of somewhat un- 
certain value in vomiting and "morning sickness." 

In small doses (ec. tr., 1 or 2 nx) it is of moderate 
efficiency in the gastric irritation of children, but usu- 
ally disappoints when administered to adults. For adults 
the dose must be much larger, but it is very much open 
to question whether hydrocyanic acid in safe doses really 
possesses much sedative influence upon the walls of the 
stomach. 

Amyl Nitrite, antispasmodic, vasodilator. Used in 
angina pectoris, spasmodic asthma, epilepsy, syncope, 
dyspnea, and in poisoning by cocaine. Dose, 2 to 5 TTL in 
brandy or by inhalation. 

Anemone and Anemonin. See Pulsatilla. 

Anhaixjnium, a species of dwarf cactus known as the 
mescale button. Full doses act upon the nerve centers, 
increasing reflexes, and hence large doses should not be 
given to nervous patients. 



Anhai^onium. 55 

In moderate doses (f.e., 2 to 10 TTt) its action is some- 
what similar to aconite at first administration, but this 
is soon followed by a "glow" in the extremities due to a 
free capillary circulation. This is followed by slight 
drowsiness and sometimes by natural sleep. The agent 
is a very promising one, and is worthy of employment 
in angina pectoris, dyspnea, and in cardiac feebleness. 

In small doses (f.e., 1 TTt) it is of value in brain-fag 
due to disturbed capillary circulation and accompanied 
by mild delirium and flashes of light. This is a good 
remedy for men under stress of business who lose sleep 
and smoke to excess, become irritable, have lapses of 
memory, and become worse as soon as they close the eyes 
and try to sleep. In these cases give 1 to 3 drop doses 
every hour or two and 5 drops when retiring. Men of 
plethoric habit may require larger doses. 

AnTimonii ET Potassi Tartras, Tartar Emetic, a de- 
pressing emetic in large dose {J/ 2 gr. repeated in 20 min- 
utes). Diaphoretic and relaxant in doses of 1-24 to }i 
gr. Expectorant and alterative in doses of 1-32 to i-i6gr. 
It should seldom be employed in its first two indications, 
since it is very depressing. 

Action in small doses (1-100 to 1-32 gr.). It relieves 
capillary bronchitis, especially in children, who should 
have minute doses freqeuntly repeated. In adults, when 
the bronchi are loaded with mucus that is raised with 
difficulty, it is an efficient remedy. 

AnTipyrin depresses the temperature and suspends 
nerve sensation. Ofttimes gives rise to prostrating sweats, 
and is exceedingly erratic in its influence. Fortunately, 
its toxic influences are readily overcome by the use of 
brandy, strychnine, and heat. The utmost of conserva- 
tism should govern its administration, and one should 
bear in mind its many incompatibles. The dose ranges 



56 Apiol. 

from 1 grain in children's diseases to the maximum of 30 
grains for a robust adult. It should never be prescribed 
without keeping the patient under observation. 

Apioi,, in doses of 15 to 30 TT\,, is an antiperiodic em- 
ployed in malaria. In doses of 5 to 10 TTt it is emmena- 
gogue and is employed in dysmenorrhea. It is adminis- 
tered in capsules. It is a definite stearoptine of consid- 
erable value, whereas the so-called "liquid apiol" is an 
alcoholic extract of the parsley fruit. 

Apis MeujFica, The Honey Bee. A tincture of the 
virus is employed. Internally administered it is a power- 
ful diuretic, too irritating to be employed in large doses, 
and producing vertigo, photophobia, emesis, strangury, 
and disturbances of circulation and respiration if given 
in toxic amounts. 

Lloyd's tincture of apis, 2 TTL, four or five times a day, 
is much esteemed in hematuria. 

Small doses (% to 1 TTt) are prescribed in suddenly 
appearing dropsy, edematous conditions of the throat, in 
serous effusions, in retention and suppression of urine, and 
in urinary incontinence. 

In the minute doses employed by the homoeopaths the 
response is too slow, although their lower attenuations 
will relieve an irritable bladder and finally increase the 
flow of urine. This agent must be used with care, and 
must not be brought into contact with excoriated surfaces. 

Apocynum Cannabinum, Canadian Hemp. 

In large doses apocynum is a harsh hydrogogue ca- 
thartic and emetic and should not be employed. The 
fluidextract of the dried root is official, and may be em- 
ployed in doses of 10 to 15 TH,, but candor compels the 
admission that it is a very uncertain preparation, its value 
depending upon how recent a root is employed. Those 



Apocynum Cannabinum. 57 

whose use of this drug has been limited to the fluidextract 
have missed its finer attributes and should try again. 
After large experience with the drug it has impressed 
me as a highly useful addition to our resources if em- 
ployed in proper dose. In large dose the decoction is the 
safer preparation. It should be made from the fresh root 
and given carefully in teaspoonful doses. 

In moderate doses it has a dual influence. First, it is 
markedly diuretic, causing a flow of limpid urine without 
irritating the kidneys. In dropsy caused by non-action of 
the kidneys, and even in acute renal inflammation where 
dropsy occurs, as in post-scarlatinal nephritis, it is highly 
valuable, but remedies must be administered with it to 
overcome inflammation. 

Second, it is a heart tonic, increasing the strength of 
the heart muscle and improving the arterial tonus. While 
similar in action to digitalis, it is not cumulative. 

Its combined influence is such as to render it most use- 
ful in atonic conditions of the blood-vessels permitting 
exudation and causing dropsy. Any edema of the cel- 
lular tissues is rationally treated with this agent as well 
as effusions into nerve sheaths and joint tissues. This 
indicates its utility in sciatica, rheumatic neuralgia, and 
all localized effusions accompanied by asthenia. Dose (ec. 
tr.,^4 to 5 TTt, carefully increased, or ®, 5 to 15 T1X, or 
for short periods, 20 to 30 Til). This is a drug that in- 
fluences some persons much more readily than others, 
and it is best to commence with small doses in every 
case. Purgative effects supervening, it is time to reduce 
the dose. The distilled extract of fresh apocynum is of 
considerable service in doses of 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls. 

Apomorphine Hydrochlorats. Emetic 1-10 gr., hy- 
podermatically 1-16 gr. Do not use in opium poisoning 
or with children. Hypnotic, hypodermatically, 1-30 gr. 



58 Argenti Nitras. 

Expectorant 1-60 gr., but not to be commended. The 
homoeopaths assert that minute doses aid in treating sea- 
sickness. 

Aquj$. See Waters, Medicated. 

Arbor Vit^. See Thuja. 

Argenti Nitras, Silver Nitrate. Of doubtful utility 
internally in large doses for gastric ulcer, etc. Possibly 
in J /% to %. grain doses is applicable in gastro-intestinal 
catarrhs. It has been recommended in this dose in epi- 
lepsy, locomotor ataxia, and other diseases of the nerv- 
ous system ; but this is simply borrowing from the homoeo- 
paths, who have employed the agent in this manner for 
many years and probably get better results from their 
small doses than % grain doses would give, as this dose 
will ultimately destroy hemoglobin and impair nutrition. 
In the opinion of the writer, 1-100 grain is enough to 
cover any indication to which this agent can be applied 
in chronic states. Its internal therapy is in an unsatisfac- 
tory status. 

Externally, silver nitrate is of value, in 2% solution, in 
gonorrhea; in vesical catarrh, 1 or 2 grs. per ounce; in 
posterior urethritis, 5 to 10 drops of a 1 to 4 grains to 
the ounce solution injected with deep urethral syringe; 
in ulcers of the mouth, from 10 grs. to ounce up to satu- 
ration; in purulent conjunctivitis, 1 or 2 grains to the 
ounce ; as a caustic, full strength. 

Aristol. Action similar to iodoform. A satisfactory 
and safe antiseptic used in 10% ointment up to full 
strength powder, and can be administered hypodermically, 
which has been done with reported good results in tuber- 
culosis. Use 1 part of aristol to 100 parts of sterilized 
oil of sweet almonds for hypodermic use. Iodine is really 



Arnica. 59 

one of the most truly effective antiseptics. Aristol is 
dithymol di-iodide, and should be kept in dark bottles. 

Arnica has in the past been employed as a stimulating 
embrocation to contusions. It has been displaced by more 
effective applications. When used it should be quite di- 
lute, since it induces erysipelatous inflammations if used 
in a concentrated state. The 1905 U. S. P. tincture, 20%, 
is directed in doses averaging 15 TTt internally, but for 
no very well-defined indications. Arnica is a badly used 
and consequently much-abused drug. It is an acro-nar- 
cotic poison in large doses, and of what legitimate use 
the usually prescribed doses are in therapeutics is a mys- 
tery to most physicians. 

In small doses it is readily understood so far as theory 
is concerned, but practically there is a wide variation of 
opinion as to its uses. Physiologically, small doses act 
somewhat like phosphorus, and are stimulant to the spinal 
nervous system. The nerves of the sphincters and of end 
organs are stimulated, and there is an action not well 
understood upon the striated muscular fibres. 

It would thus appear to be indicated in asthenic con- 
tinued fevers as a nervine. Its known value in paralysis 
of the optic nerve would suggest its use in other forms 
of paralysis of peripheral nature and in conditions of 
threatened paralysis. Its action upon the sphincters seems 
to be borne out therapeutically in the many favorable 
reports of its power, in small and frequent doses, of re- 
storing the ability to control the urine and feces. Its 
action upon the striated muscles has suggested its use in 
myalgia, pleurodynia, and the muscular pains of over- 
work and exhaustion, and immediately following child- 
birth. 

Give in doses of 1 or 2 nt of the tincture. 



60 Arsenic. 

Arsenic Bromide is used in doses of 1-60 grain in 
diabetes, syphilis, and herpetic eruptions. 

Arsenic Iodide, in doses of 1-60 to 1-15 grain, is used 
in the treatment of cancer, scrofula, and obstinate skin 
lesions, and as an ointment (3 grains to the ounce) to 
reduce tubercular swellings. 

In small doses (1-1000 to 1-100 grain) where there are 
chronic irritating discharges of a watery and offensive 
character, as in old nasal catarrh and catarrh of the 
middle ear, pyemia, tubercular sores, and in scrofulous 
ophthalmia. 

Arseni Trioxidum, Arsenous Acid, White Arsenic. 
The U. S. P. Liq. acidi arsenosi is a 1% solution of white 
arsenic. The well-known Fowler's solution is of the same 
strength. These preparations are all of similar therapy, 
and are antiperiodic, antiseptic, and alterative. 

In doses of 1-30 to 1-15 grain arsenous acid is valu- 
able in neuralgia of the fifth and intercostal nerves, peri- 
odic neuralgia, chorea, paralysis agitans, chronic arthritis, 
malarial cachexia, enlarged lymphatics, obesity due to 
defective assimilation, diabetes of hepatic origin, albu- 
minuria, eczema, lichen, psoriasis, and other skin lesions. 

In general, it may be said that moderate doses of ar- 
senic are indicated when there is defective nutrition with 
deposits of low or imperfect albuminoid material. Its 
antiperiodic influence is marked, but it should not be 
employed in doses of any size where there is irritability 
of the nerve centers of an acute character. 

In small doses arsenic is regarded as a vital stimulant, 
and is used in states of debility, exhaustion, and restless- 
ness, and where burning pain and prostrating diarrhea 
exist. Small doses are applicable in the degenerative 
changes of aged persons, bronchitis with burning expec- 



ASAFCETIDA. 6 1 

toration, irritative dyspepsia, cirrhosis of the liver, reflex 
vomiting, some cases of chronic diarrhea, and in skin 
rashes occasioned by indigestion (i-iooo to i-ioo gr.). 

Arsenite of Copper. See Copper Arsenite. 

AsaEcETida. A mildly stimulating nerve sedative, 
somewhat antispasmodic, and is sedative to the mucous 
membranes. 

In large doses (tr. 30 TTt, U. S. P. Pilulse asafoetidse, 
2 or 3 pills; U. S. P. Emulsum asafcetidae, 4 fo, or enema 
of 2 or 3 times this amount) it is employed in spasmodic 
and hysterical conditions with tympanites. It has seda- 
tive properties valuable in reflex and spasmodic coughs 
and some cases of la grippe. ' 

In small doses it has no established place in therapeu- 
tics, although it is asserted to relieve the throbbing nightly 
pain of caries and periostitis. One grain pills given to 
a nursing mother twice a day will ofttimes relieve the 
colic of the babe. 

AsclEpias TubEROSA, Pleurisy Root. This is an elimi- 
native agent acting upon the sudoriparous glands. It is 
mildly antispasmodic and carminative. It is a feeble but 
useful remedy. 

In large doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 15 to 60 Tit) it is quite 
effective in acute pleuritis and in tight and painful coughs 
and in acute rheumatism, but should be combined with 
other remedies indicated and not depended upon alone 
except in passing ailments. 

In moderate doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 5 to 10 TTt) this drug 
meets its real field of utility, and especially so in the dis- 
eases of children. It is a remedy that never depresses, 
and its carminative properties especially adapt it to chil- 
dren of tender age. With them it is distinctly expec- 
torant, and increases secretion from the serous mem- 



62 ASPIDIUM. 

branes first, then from the mucous membranes, and lastly 
from the skin. Minute doses of aconite facilitate its ac- 
tion. Instead of giving Dover's powder to children, give 
asclepias, ipecac, and camphor in combination and the 
results will be better. Personal impressions from my 
own experience lead me to believe that the opium in Do- 
ver's powder quite overshadows the action of the ipecac 
when administered to the babies. Asclepias is too feeble 
in action to be depended upon in small doses. 

Aspidium Fkux-Mas, Male Fern. The preparations 
of this drug are often uncertain, and, as it contains a 
toxic principle profoundly influencing the nervous system, 
great care should be taken to have a good preparation 
possessing to the full the somewhat unstable substance 
acting as a gastro-intestinal irritant. Saline or vegetable 
laxatives should follow its administration. Do not give 
oil, since it facilitates absorption of the toxic agent. 
Merck's oleoresin of male fern may be given in doses of 
i f3 every half hour until 3 doses are taken. The oleo- 
resin should be well shaken and administered in capsules. 
It is commonly followed by a dose of calomel and jalap, 
but this may not always be necessary. 

Atropine. See Belladonna. 

Aurum. See Gold. 

AvEna SaTiva, Oat. Ellingwood, who has much con- 
fidence in avena, says of it: "Its selective influence is 
directly upon the brain and upon the nutritive functions 
of the organism, increasing nerve force and improving 
the nutrition of the entire system." It is indicated in 
neurasthenia, occipital headache, where phosphates are 
deficient in the tissues, in the prostration of brain work- 
ers, sexual neurasthenia, local and temporary paralyses. 



Balsam Peru. 63 

menstrual headaches, and in the treatment of victims of 
the morphine habit. 

Dose: Ec tr. or any concentrated tincture, 15 TTt, well 
diluted, 3 or 4 times a day. It acts in harmony with 
strychnia when a stimulant is needed. Exalgin and avena 
in combination have been used in chorea. Avena is not 
suitable for administration in small doses. 

Balsam Peru. Used externally as a stimulant to in- 
dolent raw surfaces, scabies, cracked nipples, chilblains, 
and tuberculous affections. Internally has been used in 
doses of 10 to 30 TTL in gonorrhea and phthisis, and in 
doses of 1 to 10 Tit in catarrh with copious purulent dis- 
charges. 

Baptisia Tinctoria, Wild Indigo. In large doses bap- 
tisia causes emesis and purgation, but is not an accept- 
able remedy in large dose. The preparations of the green 
or recent plant should be employed. Locally applied, 
baptisia has long been used in aphthae and gangrenous 
sores. 

In small doses (ec. tr. 1 to 3 Tit, ® 3 to 10 Tit, if con- 
tinuously administered in smaller doses) it is useful in 
typhoid conditions if administered very early in the dis- 
ease. This is due to its antiseptic qualities and its in- 
fluence upon the intestinal glands. For the same reason 
it is useful in dysentery with dark, fetid discharges. It 
appears to oppose gangrenous tendencies, and has there- 
fore been used in malignant forms of laryngitis, but the 
evidence in its favor in this direction is not very posi- 
tive. Homoeopathic physicians esteem this drug very 
highly, and use it in very much smaller doses than those 
noted here. For this reason I have very carefully watched 
its influence in the many cases in which I have used it. 
As to dose, I fail to get results in doses less than 1 minim 



64 Barosma. 

of the tincture. It surely does have a marked influence 
in low fevers and in gastro-intestinal troubles with a 
tendency toward putridity. In conditions characterized 
by dark or purplish mucous membranes, dry and darkly 
coated tongue, and a dusky face with feeble circulation, 
the drug is useful and ofttimes highly valuable, but it can 
in no sense of the word be regarded as the sole or main- 
stay in typhoid fever. The drug is an antiseptic, altera- 
tive, and antizymotic, and has no especial influence upon 
the febrile process. Within its proper indications it is 
a valuable auxiliary to the more direct medication neces- 
sary for specific conditions. Begun early and steadily 
persisted in, it does much good, but is of little value 
when first given in advanced stages of disease. 

Barosma. See Buchu. 

Baryta Carbonate. This agent influences the glandu- 
lar structures, and is indicated in small doses in general 
degenerative changes influencing the glands. It is espe- 
cially useful in quinsy, suppurating tonsils, swollen 
glands in the neck, scrofulous children, indurated testes, 
and hypertrophied prostate. Give in 1 to 5 grain doses 
of the 2x trituration, or gr. 1-100 to gr. 1-10 and for 
a considerable length of time. Smaller dose preferable. 

Baryta Muriatica, Barium Chloride. A cardiac tonic 
and alterative applicable in small doses in indurations and 
scleroses. It is employed in doses of 1-10 grain in ar- 
terial sclerosis and atheromatous degeneration, in nar- 
rowing of the cardiac orifice, in aneurism, indurated 
pancreas, and multiple sclerosis of the brain and cord. 
Smaller doses are effective if long continued. 

Beixadonna. Recent investigations and the introduc- 
tion of scopolamin as an anesthetic prompts some chemical 
considerations regarding belladonna. For more detailed 



Belladonna. 65 

data the writings of F. B. Kilmer more scientifically cover 
the subject than anything else of recent date. 

There are two belladonnas in commerce to-day, the 
true atropa belladonna and Japanese belladonna or sco- 
polia, the latter being used as an adulterant of the first. 
Therapeutically, they differ somewhat, although atropine 
is derived from both plants, and it probably makes little 
difference in the action of the atropine whether it is made 
from one or the other plant. There has been much con- 
troversy over the chemical educts of these plants, but it 
appears that hyoscyamine is the principal alkaloid of bel- 
ladonna, but in the process of separation it is converted 
into atropine. As to scopolia, it yields more atropine than 
does belladonna and by the same process. It appears that 
hyoscyamine of belladonna and scopolamin of scopolia 
are very similar. We know that atropine, hyoscyamine, 
and hyoscine have the same formula (C17H23NO3), but 
differ in the graphic formulae owing to varying arrange- 
ments of the atoms component of the various alkaloids. 

The practical points at issue are that belladonna and 
its educts are to be considered separately in therapeutic 
action. Prof. Frank Woodbury holds that atropine does 
not act upon the skin when locally applied as does bella- 
donna, and it is recorded that a small amount of an atro- 
pine ointment applied to the unbroken skin has produced 
death in two hours. Mr. Kilmer says : "Observations 
made in our laboratory coupled with clinical observations 
made at our request, and reports from competent ob- 
servers, have led us to emphatically believe that atropine 
does not represent the therapeutic value of belladonna." 

We will first consider the alkaloids and include scopo- 
lamin, since scopolia will not receive separate considera- 
tion in this volume. It appears to be a connecting link 
botanically between hyoscyamus and atropa belladonna, 
and presents no defined advantages over these drugs. 



66 Belladonna. 

Atropine is used internally as an antidote to pilocar- 
pine, chloral, chloroform, fungus poisoning, and mor- 
phine. The dose is 1-120 to 1-60 gr., and as a mydri- 
atic, $4% solution. See works upon eye diseases. 

HyoscyaminE, as employed in medicine, is commonly 
made from hyoscyamus, but is similar to that separated 
with much more difficulty from belladonna. It is em- 
ployed as a hypnotic, mydriatic, and sedative in doses of 
1 -120 to 1-30 gr. The sulphate is employed in similar 
doses. 

Hyoscine and Hyoscine Hydrobromate have a simi- 
lar action to hyoscyamine, and are usually preferred to 
it. The use of these latter agents is principally to quiet 
insane persons. A sane person should be given doses of 
1-400 to 1-200 grain of hyoscine or its salt, while an in- 
sane man may readily tolerate 1-30 gr. 

Scopolamin and its hydrobromate have long been em- 
ployed more or less in ophthalmology in 1-10 to y&% solu- 
tion, and in 1-60 gr. doses as hyoscine is employed. 
Chemically, it is similar to hyoscine. 

Scopolamin as an Anesthetic. The mode of ad- 
ministration is liable to change to some extent after more 
extended experience, but at present three hypodermic in- 
jections are given to secure anesthesia. Each dose con- 
tains from 1 -1 20 to 1-64 grain of scopolamin and % 
grain of morphine. Give the first injection 2*4 hours 
before operating, the second i}4 hours, and the final in- 
jection one-half hour before an incision is made, although 
the preparing of the patient may begin immediately after 
the third dose. Some cases require a little ether or chloro- 
form, but the majority do not. There is usually six hours' 
sleep from these doses. The present author doubts the 
safety of such anesthesia. 

The Preparations of Belladonna demand some atten- 






Belladonna. 67 

tion. The U. S. P. solid extract is made from the leaves 
and can hardly be improved upon as a component of 
plasters, ointments, and for dispensing in pills and cap- 
sules. The average dose is 1-5 grain, or 10% in oint- 
ments. The fluidextract is also to be commended as 
carrying fully the medicinal elements of dried belladonna 
root. The Pharmacopoeia directs 1 minim as the average 
single dose. The tincture is made from the leaves, and 
the average dose is given at 8 rrt. It presents no advan- 
tages over the fluidextract. The mother tincture is 
slightly more active than the U. S. P. tincture. A word 
of caution should be given concerning Lloyd's ec. tr. bel- 
ladonna, since special development of this product has 
evolved a highly toxic preparation. It is a first-class ex- 
tract, but even 1 minim doses are dangerous if long con- 
tinued. It is usually given in doses of 1-20 to y 2 rtl. 

The selection of the preparation of belladonna is an 
important matter, and none of them should be indiscrimi- 
nately prescribed, and caution should be observed in com- 
bining belladonna with chemical substances. It is a very 
complex organic body, and its alkaloids need very care- 
ful handling. An old fluidextract or one depositing a 
sediment should not be used. Atropine sulphate is gen- 
erally to be preferred to atropine, since it is more stable. 
The present author takes a very conservative position as 
to its internal administration uncombined with morphine. 
Hyoscine and scopolamin are ofttimes used too reck- 
lessly. Especial caution should dominate their employ- 
ment. Solutions of the alkaloids for hypodermic use 
should always be made up fresh. 

In large doses belladonna may be a very useful or may 
be a very dangerous drug. The limitations of this vol- 
ume preclude entering at length upon the physiologic 
action. In general, it may be said that large doses are 



68 Belladonna. 

safe in cases of profound congestion and where stimula- 
tion of respiration can do no harm. It is well for young 
practicians - to carefully study belladonna and the pathol- 
ogy of congestive states before risking the large dose. 
When employed to limit excessive secretion, it is often 
necessary to push the administration, as in severe night- 
sweats or to check the lacteal flow after a still-birth, or 
where the babe cannot be suckled. When used as an 
antispasmodic, as in whooping cough or in spasm of a 
sphincter muscle, it may be necessary to run up the dose. 

In moderate doses belladonna has a large sphere in 
antagonizing congestion, since it overcomes capillary sta- 
sis. A little reflection will suggest so wide a range of 
affections in which it is thus indicated that it would re- 
quire many pages to enter into details. Do not prescribe 
belladonna for a blind list of diseases, but as indicated 
above, no difference what the disease may be, and it will 
be good therapeutics. 

In small doses, frequently repeated, belladonna is use- 
ful in delirium, a drowsy state with flushed face and red 
eyes, difficulty in swallowing, pharyngitis and laryngitis, 
incontinence of urine, and in states in which the full 
physiologic action is not desired. It is not a remedy 
peculiarly adapted to small-dose medication, while minute 
doses are practically worthless except in the case of in- 
fants, to whom it seems peculiarly adapted. It also acts 
in very small doses upon the skin of blondes. Aconite 
given with or in alternation with belladonna most mark- 
edly intensifies its action in local congestions and in 
equalizing the general circulation. Thus given, very 
small doses of belladonna are effective. It has impressed 
me that the first decimal dilution of the drug is the weak- 
est sectarian preparation of any value. 



Berbsrine. 69 

BerbDrine). The carbonate, phosphate, and sulphate 
are used in medicine as antiperiodics in doses of 5 to 15 
grains, and as digestive stimulants and tonics in doses 
of ^ to 2 grains. The carbonate is given in pills or 
capsules, while the soluble phosphate is given in aroma- 
tized solution. 

Bsrb-Eris AquiFouum stimulates the glandular struc- 
tures generally, but especially those of the digestive tract. 
It is a valuable tonic alterative, and probably the best 
vegetable alterative in scaly and pustular diseases of the 
skin. It is a useful remedy to clear and soften the com- 
plexion in young women, and is employed with success 
in glandular indurations and ulcerations. Dose, f.e. or 
ec. tr., 5 to 15 TIX when an action upon the skin or glandu- 
lar tissues upon the surface is desired. The salts of ber- 
berine are to be preferred to it as antiperiodics. Berberis 
combines well with other vegetable alteratives, but not 
with potassium iodide. 

In small doses we get the primary action of berberis, 
which is upon the biliary and urinary tracts. It is useful 
in soreness of the lumbar region accompanied by turbid 
urine, and in subacute diseases of the liver of an atonic 
character, intestinal indigestion, and in convalescence from 
acute diseases of the digestive tract. (F.e. or ec. tr., 
2 HI-) 

Bismuth Bsta-Naptholats. An intestinal antiseptic 
somewhat similar in action to salol. Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 
It is usually given in tablet form combined with other 
medicines. It is effective in the early stages of typhoid 
fever, Bismuth salicylate in the same dose is preferred 
to it by some clinicians. 

Bismuth Subnitratk is a slightly antiseptic astrin- 
gent employed in diseases of the gastro-intestinal mucous 



jo Black Haw. 

membranes, controlling vomiting and diarrhea and neu- 
tralizing acids. It is also employed externally on wounds, 
ulcers, etc. Dose, 4 to 10 gr. 

Black Haw. See Viburnum Prunifolium. 

Bromine is a nerve sedative and antispasmodic, and 
externally is caustic, antiseptic, and disinfectant. It is 
occasionally used internally in drop doses, but is not to 
be commended. The homoeopaths use it in low dilution 
in diseases of the larynx and trachea, in mumps and 
laryngeal diphtheria. Undoubtedly, it exercises some in- 
fluence in these directions, but as we have remedies so 
much more effective there is no occasion to employ bro- 
mine. In the absence of better antiseptics it was much 
employed in the treatment of hospital gangrene during 
the war between the States. BromoForm is the modern 
successor of bromine internally administered. It may be 
used for a number of laryngeal affections, but whooping 
cough is its real field. It is administered in hydro-alco- 
holic solution in doses of 1 to 5 Til according to age. In 
the opinion of the writer, drosera, solanum, sticta, and 
other sedative antispasmodics are much superior to it in 
this disease. In my hands bromoform combined with 
"Malto-Yerbine" has acted better than in its usual form 
of administration. 

Bryonia Alba. This drug is one peculiarly well jus- 
tifying a book like the present volume. Bryonia was 
formerly much used in regular practice as an active hy- 
drogogue cathartic, but it so frequently gave rise to in- 
flammation of the stomach and bowels that it fell into 
disuse. The homoeopaths took it up and developed a for- 
midable list of subjective symptoms in the treatment of 
which it appeared to be of benefit. They have employed 
it in the treatment of "pain of a stitching, tearing char- 



Bryonia. 71 

acter, worse by motion, better by rest," and those among 
them who do not practice "high dilution" have had re- 
markable things to tell about it. The eclectics then took 
it up, and have worked out its physiologic action in the 
small dose and placed its therapy upon a scientific basis. 
It is rapidly coming into use among regular physicians. 
From rather extended personal employment of bryonia 
it impresses me as a highly useful remedy. Only the re- 
cent plant, as found in England and parts of Europe, 
should be employed ; consequently, the ordinary tinctures 
and extracts are disappointing and frequently are inert. 

Physiologic Action in Smau, Doses. A mild ex- 
citement of the peripheral nerves and capillaries is pro- 
duced, lessening arterial tension, quieting the sympa- 
thetics, and somewhat reducing the frequency of the pulse. 
It promotes the elimination of heat. It has an action 
similar to aconite upon inflammatory processes, and op- 
poses inflammatory dryness of mucous membranes, but 
its most marked influence is upon the serous membranes 
and their contained viscera. In a word, bryonia does for 
serous membranes what aconite does for mucous mem- 
branes. 

Therapy. In large doses bryonia is too irritant a drug 
for safe administration, not only influencing the gastro- 
intestinal system but also seriously depressing the nerv- 
ous system. I cannot forego, in this connection, calling 
attention to the fact that the so-called "law of similars" 
must be seriously warped to make bryonia fit purely 
homoeopathic indications, and, on the other hand, the 
therapy in small doses very often cannot be predicated 
from the physiologic action of a drug in large doses. 

In small doses bryonia is a highly useful agent in the 
treatment of thoracic and pleuritic acute inflammatory 
states with hacking cough and painful inspiration. Hence 



J2 Bryonia. 

its value in pleurisy, pneumonia, and acute bronchitis. In 
the early stages of these diseases it alternates well with 
aconite or non-stimulating expectorants, such as ipecac 
or asclepias. In typhoid pneumonia it is an excellent 
remedy, and in pleurisy it slowly removes effusion when 
present. Naturally, it cannot be expected to meet all 
indications alone. It possesses a marked advantage over 
aconite in the fact that its administration can be long 
continued, while aconite usually should not be. For this 
reason it is useful in chronic bronchitis, if combined with 
stimulating expectorants if secretion is free ; or with seda- 
tives, alteratives, or non-stimulating expectorants if it is 
scanty. 

In abdominal diseases its influence is felt more espe- 
cially in peritonitis, and in very mild cases it will control 
the pain without opium. Other necessary measures must 
not be neglected. A tender, sensitive liver is much re- 
lieved by this drug. 

Pericarditis with exudation, congestive headaches, mild 
meningeal attacks with slight effusion, non-septic in char- 
acter, rheumatic inflammation of the heart or pericardium, 
and orchitis are all diseases in which bryonia finds a place. 

Rheumatic fever and arthritic troubles generally with 
serous effusion, as well as chronic rheumatic affections 
with stiff and swollen joints, all respond kindly to the 
drug. In muscular rheumatism it acts in harmony with 
cimicifuga. 

Dose, ec. tr. i-io to 2 TTt, commonly }i to y 2 V^ fre- 
quently repeated. ®, 1 to 5 TTt. In children, or for long- 
continued use, the first decimal dilution does nicely, and 
there are many cases in which reducing the dose gradu- 
ally gives better results than does increasing it. 

Buckeye:. See iEsculus. 



Buchu. 73 

Buchu (sometimes called by its botanical name Ba- 
rosma). This agent very gently but effectively stimu- 
lates the kidneys, increasing the elimination of both the 
solid and aqueous constituents. 

On the other hand, when debility of the urinary or- 
gans gives rise to a mere transudation of insipid or ex- 
cessive volume of urine, buchu will tone the organs and 
reduce the excessive flow. In irritable states of the blad- 
der it is one of the more certain remedies, a little bella- 
donna combining well with it in such cases. In long- 
standing cases and especially in those following gonor- 
rhea or gleet combine with it the tincture of the chloride 
of iron. (F.e., 10 to 60 T^.) 

Probably the best preparation of buchu is the infusion. 
Macerate a tablespoonful of the leaves in half a pint of 
boiling water. A fluidounce or more of this infusion 
may be given three times a day. 

BuglEweed. See Lycopus. 

Butyl-Chloral Hydrate, or Croton Chloral, is simi- 
lar in action to ordinary chloral, but is said to be less 
depressing. It is employed as a hypnotic in doses of 15 
to 20 grains and as an analgesic in doses of 2 to 5 grains. 
Neuralgia of the fifth pair of nerves is favorably influ- 
enced by comparatively small doses. 

Cactus Grandiflorus, or Cereus grandifloriis , a beau- 
tiful, large-flowered cactus growing wild in parts of the 
tropics where frost does not occur. Cultivated in hot- 
houses under the name of Night-Blooming Cereus, it but 
feebly develops its medicinal properties. Its sophisticants 
are Opuntia Rafinesqui, which has some slight value, and 
the species of opuntia growing upon our own southwest- 
ern deserts and which are of no established therapeutic 
value whatever. Cactus is dependent for its activity upon 
a resinous substance, soluble in alcohol, and of so un- 






74 Cactus. 

stable a nature as to thus far baffle analysis or separation 
except by slowly evaporating the tincture. This extract 
soon loses all activity. In consequence, the tincture of the 
fresh cactus must be employed, and attempts at making 
a fluidextract each minim of which represents one grain 
of dried cactus has most dismally failed. The "eclectic 
tincture" is of this strength, based upon the green drug. 
The "normal tincture" is semi-normal, and the "mother 
tincture" is of less strength. By drying cactus loses 95% 
by weight. Green plant fluidextracts are eligible, but do 
not differ from the tinctures. They are really tinctures in 
the case of this drug. Anhalonium is a species of cactus 
described in this volume under its own heading. Cereus 
Bonplandi is very nearly allied to cereus grandiflorus, and 
is similar in action. Homoeopathic physicians are in- 
clined to think bonplandi most effective in convulsive 
heart affections, while grandiflorus is best where there is 
constrictive pain. 

Cactus was almost exclusively employed by the homoeo- 
paths until the eclectics took it up, and now is coming 
into general use. Regular physicians who have employed 
cactus in some reliable form are equally well pleased with 
it. It is a drug in which its employment is along similar 
lines by all schools of medicine. 

Briefly stated, cactus influences the circular muscular 
fibres. In large doses it gives rise to more or less irri- 
tation, in which the sphincters are involved. It is useful 
in medicine for two reasons: first, because the muscular 
tissues of the heart and blood-vessels respond to it in 
doses never dangerous nor unpleasant ; and secondly, be- 
cause the nervous symptoms of functional heart diseases 
are much more favorably influenced by cactus than by 
any of the other cardiac tonics and stimulants. The 
nervous system is impressed by quite small doses. 



Cactus. 75 

Ellingwood says: "This remedy increases the musculo- 
motor energy of the heart, elevates arterial tension, in- 
creasing the height and force of the pulse wave. This is 
accomplished by increased heart action, stimulation of the 
vaso-motor center, and stimulation of the spinal-motor 
centers, increasing their activity and improving the gen- 
eral nerve tone. ... It produces no irritation of the 
heart muscles, like strophanthus, or gastric irritation or 
cumulation, like digitalis. 

It increases the contractile power and energy of the 
heart muscle through the intercardiac ganglia and accel- 
erator nerves, and improves the nutrition of the heart." * 

Cactus has impressed me as in no sense a substitute for 
digitalis, but is exceedingly useful in case of a debilitated 
heart muscle needing encouragement, but not the whip. 
It fills a place no other agent does in functional heart dif- 
ficulties and progressive valvular inefficiency. It is a 
reliable remedy, not disturbing digestion in proper doses, 
and it gives a sense of ease to many a distressing heart 
case, leaves no after-drug effect, and is often preferable 
to older drugs. For the heart, give 1 to 6 H| doses of 
ec. tr., 2 to 10 Til doses of fluidextract, or 3 to 15 TTt ©. 
Small doses, frequently repeated, act nicely. 

Rubini, of Naples, who introduced cactus, claimed that 
it resembles aconite in action, differing in that it increases 
the strength and tone of the nerve centers instead of 
paralyzing them, as do large doses of aconite. He was 
probably correct in his claims. At all events, cactus in 
1 Til doses, frequently repeated, and even in less dose, is 
a true sedative where a rapid and feeble pulse accom- 
panies a weak and exhausted nervous system. In asthenic 
fevers, in headaches with a feeling of constriction, anemia 
of the brain, nervous palpitation, in cold and clammy 

* " Materia Medica and Therapeutics," by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.— The 
Chicago Medical Times Pub. Co. 



76 Caffeine:. 

hands and feet, and in other states in which the vaso- 
motors are at fault with more or less nervous irritation, 
cactus acts well in very small doses. 

Caffeine; acts upon the spinal reflex centers, stimulates 
cerebration, is a direct stimulant to the heart muscle and 
the respiratory center, and is diuretic. 

It is employed in nervous headache (i gr. caffeine 
every half-hour until relieved, or moderate doses of hy- 
drobromate of caffeine compound), in weak heart action 
(preferably 5 to 10 drops hypodermically of the salicylate 
of caffeine solution *), but when no decided stimulation is 
desired the titrated caffeine in 2 to 10 gr. doses or mod- 
erate amounts of strong coffee. In uremic coma, caffeine 
should be used hypodermically. 

CajupuT Oil,. This is a diffusible stimulant indicated 
in the exhaustion of fevers, characterized by flatulence 
and fermentation in the bowels. Never give during the 
period of marked acute inflammation. Dose, 5 Tr[. 

Calcium Salts. Acetate has been successfully em- 
ployed in continued small doses in inflammations of mu- 
cous membranes characterized by a membranous exuda- 
tion. A convenient way to administer is in the ix tablet 
triturate. Carbonate, an antacid sometimes given to 
rickety children for long periods of time. Also in cases 
of impaired nutrition. Give in small doses. Lime-water 
is of the same therapeutic value. The precipitated cal- 
cium carbonate is a valuable antacid for children, indi- 
cated when the anus is red and sore. Fluoride, used by 
the homceopaths in indurations and threatened suppu- 
ration and varicose veins. They use the 3X usually. Hy- 
pophosphite, a reconstructive of great value, contraindi- 
cated in fever, but given in 10 to 20 gr. doses in phthisis, 



* Caffeine, 20 gr.-, Salicylate of Soda, 17% gr ; Water, 80 m. 



Calendula. 77 

rachitis, and defective nutrition. Iodide, used in scrofu- 
lous affections and in adenoids. "Iodized lime" is used 
in croup. There is some difference of opinion as to do- 
sage. My experience is to begin with small doses and 
increase rapidly if well tolerated. Lactophosphate, 
stimulant and nutrient in doses of 3 to 10 grs. or 1 to 2 
fo of syrup. Sulphide, useful in nodular, glandular, and 
suppurative skin troubles, in boils, ulcerative, syphilitic, 
and tubercular lesions, fetid bronchitis, and in other states 
demanding sulphur. Dose, 1-20 to %. gr. triturated with 
sugar. The homoeopaths call it Hepar sulphuris, and 
give the ix to promote suppuration and the 3X to 6x to 
prevent it. 

Calendula, Marigold. This remedy has been used in- 
ternally, and its tincture is official in 20% strength. What 
rational basis there may be for its internal administra- 
tion has never been made very clear to me. Externally, 
it really does what arnica is reputed to do, and is in every 
way superior to the latter agent. It is applicable to open 
wounds and to burns, and serves to prevent contracting 
eschars owing to its tendency to produce exudation. The 
non-alcoholic calendula is a valuable antiseptic in surg-ery 
and gynecology. 

Calomel. See under Mercury. 

Calotropis, or Madar Bark, is a remedy much in favor 
among the modern school of homoeopaths. Their litera- 
ture says it is a powerful alterative and increases cu- 
taneous circulation. They use 5 TI\ doses of the mother 
tincture in the secondary symptoms of syphilis and fol- 
lowing a course of mercury, and very sensible writers of 
their school maintains that it recruits the constitution, re- 
moving anemia and healing the ulcers and blotches. The 



78 Cai/tha Palustris. 

primary anemia of syphilis is reported to yield to its in- 
fluence. In large doses it is an irritant poison. 

Cai/tha Palustris, the "cowslip" of the garden, is 
recommended for uterine cancer. (Tr. 2 to 5 TIX, non- 
official.) 

Camphora. This substance is classified as stimulant, 
diaphoretic, sedative, expectorant, carminative, antiseptic, 
analgesic, and antipruritic. If this is all true, it is a won- 
derful remedy. It is used in an empirical manner, and 
it needs study. It is altogether too freely combined with 
other remedies, which it seems to modify in a manner not 
well understood. It must be borne in mind that camphor 
has toxic influences, causing cyanosis, delirium, vomiting, 
convulsions, and other symptoms of irritation of the brain. 

In large doses there is much difference of opinion as to 
its range of utility. The fact is that camphor established 
its fame in the treatment of cholera. This is a condition 
in which a remedy would be slowly absorbed, and in 
which the functions of the nervous system are so de- 
pressed as to require an irritant to arouse them. To my 
mind this suggests that quite large doses of camphor 
might rationally be employed in states of collapse and in 
the stupor and exhaustion of adynamic fevers ; but where 
the nervous reactions are normal and absorption is active, 
it impresses me that large doses have no place. 

In small doses camphor is given in a host of affections, 
the indications of which are better met by other remedies. 
Limiting the indications to those well borne out in pro- 
fessional experience, we find that the successful use of 
camphor is to influence the nervous system either in large 
or in small doses. It succeeds in hysteria because it is a 
nerve sedative ; in nervous headache, since it is due to 
prolonged mental strain as a rule, and camphor is a nerve 






Camphora. 79 

sedative that improves the nerve tone like cactus does 
the heart ; in the first stages of a cold, because that stage 
of a cold is really a vaso-motor disturbance; in bron- 
chitis, asthma, and whooping cough, because it is a seda- 
tive influencing the muscles as an antispasmodic in small 
doses, but causing tonic spasm in large, toxic doses ; nerv- 
ous vomiting and palpitation, because it is a sedative to 
nervous reflex action. Give in I to 5 TIX doses of Spiritus 
camphor ce, or 1 to 5 gr. of Camphora monobromata. This 
latter preparation adds hypnotic influences to that of cam- 
phor, and is very valuable in nervous irritation from reflex 
causes. 

Carbolate of camphor is made by mixing together and 
straining, after twenty-four hours' standing, 1 part by 
weight of carbolic acid and 3 parts of camphor. It is a 
superb antiseptic, but must not be mixed with water or 
glycerine. Use pure or in any proportion mixed with 
cotton seed oil or petroleum derivatives. 

Cannabis Indica. This agent is sedative, narcotic, and 
anodyne, primarily exciting cerebration, but resulting in 
secondary depression not marked in character. It may 
be employed in a wide range of affections, but its greatest 
influence is exerted in painful, spasmodic affections. 

This remedy is exceedingly useful in painful affections 
of the genito-urinary tract with tenesmus, priapism, 
strangury, or spasmodic stricture. This indication covers 
a wide range of affections. It is seldom employed alone, 
but in conjunction with antiseptics and agents to allay 
inflammation. 

Cannabis indica is a safer and more truly satisfactory 
remedy than heroin or codeine as the narcotic element in 
cough mixtures, such as the syrup of white pine. 

An assayed fluidextract may be given in doses of 1 to 



8o Cantharis. 

3 T!\. A good tincture is made by dissolving i ounce of 
the English extract in a pint of alcohol. Dose, I to 15 TTt. 
Small doses of this drug, frequently repeated, usually give 
better results than do massive doses. The action is the 
same in any dose, varying only in degree. 

Cantharis. An irritant diuretic and aphrodisiac. Ex- 
ternally used as a rubefacient and vesicant. In very small 
doses it is much employed by sectarian and somewhat by 
regular physicians in cystitis, irritable bladder, and ne- 
phritis, but we have so much better remedies that it must 
be considered as of secondary importance except in re- 
laxation of the bladder walls. Cantharidin has been rec- 
ommended in lupus and tuberculosis. (Tr., % to 10 T^. 
Merck's cantharidin in 1 to 100,000 solution, using 1% 
alcohol in 99% water as solvent, and giving 5 to 40 Tl\ 
doses, well diluted.) 

Capsicum. This agent is of use in enfeebled condi- 
tions involving deficient innervation. It is used to restore 
nerve influence in mild forms of paralysis, as a stimulant 
in dipsomania, and in atonic states of the digestive organs. 
Externally, it is counterirritant. 

Carbo Ligni, Charcoal. Of value in flatulence with 
fetid breath, cardialgia from distention, fetid dysentery, 
and in some cases of passive hemorrhage from mucous 
membranes. The dose may be very large, but practically 
all that the remedy will do is accomplished by 5 or 10 
gr. doses. It has been used in minute doses in various 
states, the supposition being that the soluble salts in char- 
coal had an influence upon the fluids of the body. There 
is no scientific basis for the employment of dilutions or 
triturations except that a trituration of equal parts of 
charcoal and sugar is an eligible way to administer the 
agent. 



Cascara Sagrada. 8 i 

Cascara Sagrada, Rhamnus purshiana. . This is a bit- 
ter tonic influencing to healthy action the gastrointes- 
tinal tract, promoting the secretions of their glands, and 
increasing peristalsis. It is a valuable agent, but is of 
use chiefly in chronic constipation. Give of the fluidex- 
tract from 5 to 60 T\{. It has been commended in chronic 
rheumatic states and used in quite small doses, but has 
hardly justified itself in this connection. 

Caui.ophyi.IvUM, or Blue Cohosh, is another of the in- 
discriminately used "female regulators." Its real field of 
utility is to allay uterine irritability during the perod of 
gestation, thus preventing premature labor. It is a fa- 
vorite remedy with the eclectics, and is overemployed by 
them. They use a solution of its active principle called 
"Leontin." It promotes normal menstruation in young 
women very efficiently. The ec. tr. is given in doses of 
from 1 to 10 TTt, and is really a high-grade fluidextract of 
this drug. The mother tincture is unnecessarily weak. 
A good fluidextract is made by several firms, but it is 
well to designate the make, since a poor preparation of 
blue cohosh is nearly inert. If used in too large doses 
it is apt to cause uterine contraction. Caulophyllin in 
doses of % to 1 gr. is commended by many physicians. 

Causticum is a homoeopathic potash preparation much 
esteemed by the "high dilutionists." It is used by them 
in arthritic and catarrhal affections marked by burning 
soreness or rawness. If it really has any true field of 
action it is in throat troubles with a raw, hoarse cough, 
where its action would be similar to that of capsicum. 
Possibly the low dilutions are of some little value in this 
connection. The mother tincture is irritant, and should 
be well diluted. Some singers employ the tablet triturate 
of this agent to strengthen the voice. Its value is prob- 
lematic. 



82 CEANOTHUS. 

Ceanothus, New Jersey Tea. This is an old remedy 
that has been extolled in the past by all three schools of 
medicine as having a marked influence upon the spleen. 
If it has any such influence it is by virtue of the fact that 
it stimulates the portal circulation. In chronic inactivity 
of the liver it is of some utility, and it appears to possess 
some influence in malarial toxemia, in which the spleen is 
enlarged and the portal circulation at fault. That it spe- 
cifically influences the spleen itself is not probable. (F.e., 
5 to 30 ni ; ec. tr., 2 to 10 111.) 

Cedron, or Rattlesnake Bean, is employed, in small 
doses of the tincture, in malarial neuralgia and neuralgic 
pain around the eye or orbit, but there are not sufficient 
reports to verify the claims of the few persons who have 
used it. 

Cereus Bonplandi. See Cactus. 

Ceru Oxalas is used by all three schools in the vomit- 
ing of pregnancy. It is a sedative to gastric irritation, and 
relieves spasmodic reflex vomiting generally. Sometimes 
it relieves whooping cough. In quite large doses it is a 
sedative to the nerve centers, and is employed in chorea. 
In vomiting it is given in doses of 1 to 3 gr., and in 
chorea up to the maximum dose of 8 gr. Very small 
doses of this drug are not employed. 

Chamomilla, Matricaria chamomilla. This is the Ger- 
man chamomile, and is in every way much superior to the 
Roman chamomile or anthemis nobilis. 

This plant is widely employed by the physicians of 
Germany and by German people in this country. Our 
physicians have never appreciated it as it deserves, be- 
cause they have given it in altogether too large a dose 
and because they have so often used the inferior Roman 
chamomile. 



Chamomilla. 83 

In large doses it is useful in dysmenorrhea, relieving 
pain and tending to lessen the formation of blood clots. 
Give freely in hot infusion. 

In small doses it influences the sensory and excito- 
motor nerves, markedly relieving irritation and restless- 
ness. In adults it relieves the nervous irritation of gesta- 
tion and false pains, is a gentle tonic to the nervous sys- 
tem, and useful in nervous dyspepsia, periodical sick head- 
ache, and in nervous twitching of the face. (Ec. tr. or 
any good saturated tincture or fluidextract, 1 to 10 Til.) 
The smaller doses are usually effective. I give 1 to 3 TTt 
as a rule, but frequently repeated. 

In infantile diseases this agent finds its greatest field of 
usefulness. It is employed in difficult dentition, especially 
when the child is irritable and feverish, in acid diarrhea 
with green stools and restlessness, and in flatulent colic. 
Give 1 Til. doses, or, if mother tincture is used, 3 or 4 Til.. 
Small doses of the infusion are effective. Minute doses 
of aconite cooperate with chamomilla. 

Chexidonium, or Great Celandine, is one of the oldest 
remedies in therapeutics, but it was unwisely employed 
and fell into disuse. At present it is much esteemed by 
the eclectics and homoeopaths. 

In large doses it is a drastic cathartic, violent local irri- 
tant, diuretic, and vulnerary. In view of the experience 
of the profession in the past, its advocacy in large doses 
to-day is not very wise. Denissenko and others advocate 
its local use in the treatment of cancer. It is established 
that injections into and around the tumor of a mixture 
of equal weights of celandine extract, glycerine, and dis- 
tilled water softens a tumor and tends toward its disinte- 
gration; but there follows a good deal of pain and some 
fever, and there exists much division of opinion as to the 
advisability of using celandine in this connection. 



84 Chimaphila. 

In small doses celandine is of considerable utility in the 
treatment of functional inactivity of the liver and slug- 
gishness of the portal circulation with the long chain of 
direct and reflex symptoms engendered by such condi- 
tions. It is of value in jaundice and in conditions of 
alternating constipation and diarrhea. Its usefulness in 
the treatment of biliary calculi is well established. Con- 
stant pain under the inferior angle of the right scapula 
usually calls for celandine. It is a useful remedy if long 
enough continued. I get good results from 2 or 3 fix 
doses of the ec. tr., and use it in alternation with sodium 
phosphate. 

Chimaphila, Pipsissewa. An official drug used in 
acute and chronic catarrh of the bladder, in dropsy, and 
diseases incident to uric acid. It is a stimulating altera- 
tive and a good diuretic. (F.e., 10 to 60 Til.) 

Chionanthus Virginica, Fringe Tree. This is a bark 
very difficult of manipulation pharmaceutically, and hence 
most of its preparations are unreliable. The eclectics have 
long prized it very highly, and Prof. Lloyd has developed 
for them an extract more satisfactory than is the fluid- 
extract. It has been little used in regular medicine until 
a proprietary preparation brought it before the profession. 

In large doses it is a mild cholagogue cathartic, safe in 
employment for a few doses. Ec tr., 20 TTt for four 
doses, and then 10 nx at a dose if necessary to continue. 

In moderate doses (ec. tr., 5 to 10 TTt) it liquefies the 
bile, prevents the formation of calculi, and is probably 
one of the very best remedies for jaundice not due to 
occlusion of the duct or to malignant growths. It is very 
sure in its action in the jaundice of gestation. Its action 
in chronic liver disease is most happy. 

In small doses it is combined with iris versicolor, and 



Chlorai^ormamidum. 85 

alternated with sodium phosphate, if necessary, in the 
treatment of sick headache, bilious headache, and those 
due to menstruation. It is quite effective in this connec- 
tion. (Ec. tr., 1 to 3 TTL-) 

ChIvORAIvFormamidum, U. S. P. designation for Chlo- 
ralamide. Hypnotic, sedative, and analgesic. The full 
adult dose I consider safe is 30 grains. Merck says 60 
grains maximum. As a hypnotic it is slower in action than 
chloral, but somewhat safer. It does not irritate the heart 
and stomach to the same extent that chloral does. Its 
sensible and transient use leads to good results. 

Chloral Hydratu.m. Hypnotic, antispasmodic, and 
analgesic. Employed in insomnia, spasmodic, and painful 
affections. Contraindicated in gastritis, heart affections, 
and the extremes of life. Adult dose, 5 to 20 gr. Tetanus 
requires large doses, as does every indication to cause 
muscular relaxation. Sleeplessness from mental exalta- 
tion requires full doses, while that due to exhaustion 
rather small doses. In delirium tremens small doses, re- 
peated as necessary, give best results. In very small doses 
(1-10 to 1 gr.) it is employed in hives ofttimes with suc- 
cess. The homoeopaths recommend minute doses for urti- 
caria and a coldness of the body surface. 

Chi^oroFormum. Anesthetic and analgesic. Employed 
internally in colic, cramps, spasmodic affections, atonic 
quinsy, and sometimes to relieve pain (2 to 5 TTL). For 
its anesthetic properties consult the text-books. 

Chrysarobinum. Antiparasitic and alterative, used in 
psoriasis, herpes tonsurans, and pityriasis versicolor. Use 
in 5% ointment. Very dangerous to the eyes, or over 
large areas from absorption into blood. 

CicuTA Virosa, Water Hemlock. This highly toxic 
agent is used in dilution by the homoeopaths in spasmodic 



86 ClCUTA. 

affections, such as singultus, trismus, tetanus, and con- 
vulsions. It is mentioned here chiefly to call attention to 
the highly toxic character of the mother tincture. The 
eclectics call a similar plant Oenanthe (q. v.), and it was 
formerly used by them in epilepsy generally, but is now 
used in epilepsy marked by anemia of the brain and cord. 
Their ec. tr. Oenanthe is toxic in 4 TTL doses, and is given 
in doses of 1-20 to j4 TTL. 

Cicutine, Conicine, and Coniine are practically identical, 
but differ from Conium (q. v.). The hydrobromate of 
coniine is used as an antispasmodic in regular practice in 
just about the same range of affections as the homoeo- 
paths use cicuta. The dose of the hydrobromate is 1-60 
to 1-15 gr. The maximum dose is 1-6 gr M and is some- 
times used in tetanus. This drug has been suggested in 
cerebro-spinal meningitis. The present author would urge 
great caution in its employment. 

CimiciFuga Racemosa, Black Snake Root, Black Co- 
hosh. It is sometimes called Macrotys. 

In large doses (U. S. P. Tr., 1 to 2 fo; f.e., 30 TT\, ; ec. 
tr., 10 TTt) it produces general relaxation, slows the pulse, 
and is diaphoretic. Sometimes these doses give rise to 
the cerebral symptoms. (Consult Bartholow.) Large 
doses are seldom indicated. The ec. tr. and other green . 
root preparations are most active, and their doses are 
small. 

In moderate and small doses cimicifuga is a most valu- 
able remedy. It is employed in the aching and muscular 
soreness noted in the premonitory stages of fevers, and 
is usually combined with aconite in this condition. In 
neuralgia and muscular troubles of the heart, such as 
pericarditis, it is of value, and is sometimes used in the 
place of digitalis. Chorea is most markedly benefited by 
moderate doses. Ellingwood alternates it with small 



ClMIClFUGA RACEMOSA. 87 

doses of exalgine in chorea. Acute rheumatism and rheu- 
matic fevers involving chiefly the muscles are quite amen- 
able to cimicifuga. Nervous troubles, such as hysteria, 
menstrual melancholia, and incipient puerperal insanity, 
are within its range. The female reproductive system is 
much influenced by it, relieving irregular pains, promoting 
involution, relieving spasm or congestion of the muscular 
tissues of the womb during the menstrual epoch, and in 
rheumatic states of the uterine muscle fibers, bringing 
about a regular and painless action. Pain in the loins 
due to gonorrhea or spasmodic stricture is relieved by it. 
In short, large doses influence the central nervous sys- 
tem somewhat like the bromides, and it acts in harmony 
with gelsemium, ergot, and bromides. In smaller doses 
its influence is to relax muscular tissues, and it cooper- 
ates with aconite, colchicum, and the salicylates. For the 
muscular action give f.e., 5 to 10 TTL ; ec. tr., % to 2 nx ; 
U. S. P. Tr., 10 to 20 TTL ; ©, 5 to 10 iTt. Green f.e. same 
as ec. tr. or slightly more. 

Cina is the homoeopathic name of a plant known as 
Artemisia pauciiiora, and from which Santonin is derived. 
A tincture is made and is employed in intestinal irrita- 
tions and a whole chain of symptoms referable to worms. 
They use the low attenuations and the tincture, and, when 
necessary, the ix trituration of santonin. Their tincture 
is quite effective if sufficient dose is administered. The 
older homoeopaths used high dilutions of "Cina" for nerv- 
ous and irritable children. See Santonin. 

Cinchona. Much has been written about cinchona and 
its alkaloids, but, as a practical matter of fact, quinine 
does nearly everything done by cinchona. In the indica- 
tions in small doses some distinctions of minor importance 
might be mentioned. Quinine is undoubtedly the agent 



88 Cineraria. 

to destroy the malarial Plasmodium, but in debility from 
exhausting discharges and in atonic indigestion and noc- 
turnal sweating it is thought that cinchona is preferable. 
Give i to 10 gr. doses of the powdered bark in capsules. 
The fluid preparations are so hard to make up nicely, 
unless one uses considerable alcohol as a solvent, that they 
are unsatisfactory except when the dose is very small. 
The homoeopaths call it "China'' and use small doses in 
practically all diseases marked by periodicity, and in 
feebleness from loss of blood, muscular relaxation, as- 
thenic pneumonia, threatened abortion, hematuria, ery- 
sipelas, and vertigo. See Quinine. 

Cineraria, Dusty Miller, has enjoyed a somewhat du- 
bious reputation in the treatment of cataract and corneal 
opacities by the "absorption method." The fresh juice is 
instilled into the eye, i or 2 drops four times a day, for 
several months. The method is probably entirely harm- 
less. Different medicines have at times been recommended 
for cataract, chiefly phosphorus and platinum, but nothing 
practical ever came of it. 

Cinnabaris. See Mercuric Sulphide. 

Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, U. S. P. True Ceylon 
Cinnamon. The official tincture is not the true cinnamon. 
Ec. tr. is a tincture of true Ceylon cinnamon. The true 
oil is also to be obtained, but is expensive. Oil and tinc- 
ture of cassia or of saigon cinnamon is very inferior in 
therapeutic activity. The true oil is not official. 

The true cinnamon is a most valuable agent in all pas- 
sive hemorrhages, and particularly in uterine hemorrhage. 
It markedly tones the muscular structure of the womb 
and causes tonic contraction. Give of ec. tr. cinnamomum 
10 to 30 TTt, or of the true oil 1 or 2 Til . Equal parts oil 
of cinnamon and oil of erigeron in 3 to 5 1^, doses upon 



Cobalt. 89 

loaf sugar is effective in passive hemorrhage. Cinnamon 
given in alternation with ergot gives better results in pul- 
monary hemorrhage and postpartum hemorrhage than 
does ergot alone. 

Cobalt has been given in small doses in neurasthenic 
spinal states and in seminal emissions. The 2x or 3X 
trituration can be procured from homoeopathic sources, 
although the original use of it was not with them, I 
believe. 

Coca, Brythroxylon Coca. The official coca leaves 
must yield ^4 of 1% of alkaloids, and as the average dose 
is 30 gr. of the leaves, that is equivalent to 1-7 gr. of 
alkaloids per dose. The official "Vinum Cocae" is 6y% 
coca. This is stated to show the fallacy of the conten- 
tion that the use of coca does not involve the use of its 
alkaloids. 

Coca is a nerve stimulant, muscle tonic, and invigor- 
ant, undoubtedly of use, but so much abused in the use 
as to make it questionable how much it should be em- 
ployed by physicians. The seductive proprietary prepara- 
tions of coca are an abomination, and do much harm. 

Cocaine Hydrochlorium. Dose, 1-16 to y> gr. 
Always begin with small dose. Never apply over 2-3 
grain at any one time to a mucous surface. 

Local uses — In eye, nose, and throat, 1 to 5% solution, 
and, in extreme instances, 10% if to small area. Care- 
fully, with children. Urethra and bladder, y 2 to 4%. 
Ointments, 3 to 5 gr. to 3. Vomiting of pregnancy, 5% 
to cervix. Hay fever, 1 to 4% solution with cotton ap- 
plicator. Hypodermically about teeth, 1 or 2%. Schleich's 
infiltration anesthesia, gr. y> to gr. 8 to fgi. Rarely in- 
dicated in solution stronger than 5% for anything. Its 
internal employment is fraught with so much danger 



90 Cocculus Indicus. 

from many points of view that such uses as have been 
advocated are wisely passed by in the work of the careful 
practician. 

Cocculus Indicus, Fish Berries. This agent is simi- 
lar to strychnine in physiologic action, but the convul- 
sions caused by toxic doses are less tetanic than are those 
of strychnine. It produces more stupor than does strych- 
nine. 

Therapeutically, it is used in much the same indications 
as nux vomica, and presents no advantages over it except 
it possibly is less irritating to the nerves. F.e. (not offi- 
cial), y 2 to 3 HI. Pictrotoxin, i-ioo to 1-30 gr. 

The homoeopaths use its 3X dilution in indigestion, 
marked by great repugnance to food, headache with ver- 
tigo, and uncomplicated dysmenorrhea. They also value 
pictrotoxin in night sweats. 

Coccus, Cochineal. The tincture of this well-known 
coloring agent has long been used in small doses through- 
out Germany in whooping cough where clear, stringy and 
ropy mucus is vomited. Some of our American practi- 
cians add Tr. Cardamomi Co. to whooping-cough mixtures 
because of the cochineal contained in it. Personally, 
cochineal would never be depended upon alone. I add 
drosera to the Tr. Cardamomi Co., and get encouraging 
results toward the latter end of the spasmodic stage. 

Codeine and Codeine Sulphas. Hypnotic, analgesic, 
sedative. Not used in case of severe pain. Greatest use 
in irritating coughs, where it has been very unwisely dis- 
placed by heroin by many physicians. Also used in 
ovarian pains, vesical affections, and in diabetes mellitus. 
Dose of either codeine or its sulphate, T / 2 to 2 gr., or less 
if for continuous administration. Never give to young 
children. It is a very valuable agent in small doses. See 
Heroin. 



COLCHICUM. 91 

Colchicum. This agent has come into much unde- 
served disrepute. It must be remembered that large doses 
are cathartic and produce a very feeble pulse and cool 
skin, It is a valuable agent, but has been given in alto- 
gether too large doses. It is only after the pulse and 
temperature are reduced to near the normal that colchi- 
cum acts well. It is more valuable in chronic than in 
acute forms of rheumatism. It should usually be pre- 
ceded by a saline laxative, and seems to act peculiarly 
well in combination with cimicifuga. Use doses of f.e. 
(seed), 1 to 2 TTt ; tr. of seed, 10 nx ; ec. tr., 1 TTL, and 
you will be pleased with its action. A really good fluid- 
extract is usually effective in doses of 1 TTt. Wine of col- 
chicum is unnecessary. It impresses me as illogical to 
give wine to a rheumatic or gouty patient even in small 
quantities. Colchicine is used in doses of 1-120 to 1-30 
gr. Colchicine salicylate in doses of 1-200 to 1-80 gr. 
These agents are very active, and should be employed with 
the utmost of conservatism. 

Coujnsonia Canadensis, Stone Root. This tough, 
fibrous root is exceedingly difficult of extraction, and the 
quickly made percolated fluidextracts of it are very in- 
ferior. It requires prolonged maceration, and only the 
green root should be used. 

Collinsonia is a tonic to the digestive organs and to en- 
feebled muscular structures, particularly non-striated mus- 
cular tissue. For this reason, it influences the heart and 
blood-vessels. 

In large doses it is the remedy in clergyman's sore 
throat and all straining of the vocal organs marked by 
aphonia, cough, and a sense of constriction. Dose, 15 TTt 
ec. tr., in simple syrup, four times a day. 

In moderate doses Dr. John V. Shoemaker considers it 
an antispasmodic of great value in gastralgia. It is of 



92 COLOCYNTHIS. 

recognized value in catarrhal gastritis, and is usually com- 
bined with hydrastis. (Ec. tr., 5 to 10 1TL.) 

In small doses it is highly useful in hemorrhoids and 
relaxed conditions of the lower bowel with imperfect 
venous capillary circulation. I regard it as the most valu- 
able internal remedy we possess in such rectal states. In 
cardiac debility, especially that associated with chlorosis, 
it is of value. It is not a heart stimulant, but adds tone 
to the heart muscle and blood-vessels. (Ec. tr., 1 or 2 TH,.) 

There is no reason why a slowly made fluidextract 
should not be as active as the ec. tr., but, as a matter of 
fact, few makers take proper care with this non-official 
drug. It is a very valuable remedy, and should be largely 
used. 

Colocynthis. This is a peculiar drug, long misunder- 
stood. The official Extractum Colocynthidis is a reliable 
preparation for its usual employment. The ec. tr. is too 
violent in action. The mother tincture is a 10% prepara- 
tion of the pulp of the dried fruit freed from outer rinds 
and seed. I would advise the extract for its purgative 
effect and © for small doses. If the ec. tr. is used at all 
it should be diluted with nine volumes of 76% alcohol and 
used as the tincture. 

In large doses colocynth is a hydrogogue cathartic, very 
violent in action, and should not be given in the presence 
of feebleness or inflammation. The average dose of the 
extract is y 2 gr., and in this dose, or even 1 gr. doses, 
it is safe and often useful. 

In small doses it is useful in sharp, cutting pain and 
cramp in the bowels. The form of colic bending one 
double and relieved by pressure. This sounds like homoe- 
opathy, but it is really nothing of the sort, because it is 
not diarrhea but temporary neuralgic pain that small doses 
of colocynth cures. It has the same effect in uterine neu- 



CONDURANGO. 93 

ralgia of a transient nature, and also in temporary sciatica. 
Enter algia, gastralgia, neurotic pains and tenesmus is its 
field. In infantile colic use ®, 5 TTL in half-glass of water, 
and give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes. For adults 
use somewhat larger doses, usually 1 or 2 TTt, ©, at a dose. 
Colocynth cannot be classed with the usual "cramp and 
colic" cures. It is not a direct remedy for diarrhea, but 
it is a remedy giving quick relief from pain within its 
indications. 

Condurango was lauded as a cure for gastric ulcer and 
cancer of the stomach some years ago. Needless to say, 
it disappointed. It has quite a history in the camp of 
the homoeopaths, from whom we borrowed it and returned 
it in a damaged condition. They say its guiding symp- 
tom is "painful crack in corner of mouth." It impresses 
me we have had lots of smoke for a very little fire. It 
is probably of some service in catarrhal gastritis, since its 
influence resembles hydrastis. (F.e., 15 to 60 Tl\.) 

Coniine. See Cicuta Virosa and Conium. 

Conium, Poison Hemlock. In the absence of its char- 
acteristic odor this drug is of little value. Insist upon 
fresh preparations ; keep well corked, and dilute only as 
used. The expressed juice of the plant, preserved with 
alcohol, is its best preparation, but is hard to get. An 
assayed fluidextract is reliable. 

For the physiologic action in detail, read Plato's descrip- 
tion of the death of Socrates or the text-books. 

It is of value in diseases characterized by extreme ac- 
tivity of the motor nerves, such as paralysis agitans, 
chorea, hysteria, delirium tremens, laryngeal spasm, torti- 
collis, some cases of asthma and whooping cough, and 
irritable laryngeal cough. It is highly useful in visceral 
pain and the pain of cancers, 



94 CONVALLARIA. 

Dose, f.e., 2 to 6 1TL, but may be run up to 20 TT\, in 
cancer; ec. tr., 1 to 5 TTL ; expressed juice, 1 to 5 TTL. For 
hypodermic use, Merck's Coniine Hydrobromate, 1-20 to 
1-6 gr. with caution and only in severe cases. 

ConvalIvAria, Lily of the Valley. An infusion of the 
whole plant is an active and satisfactory preparation. The 
root is more commonly employed, and should, preferably, 
be worked in a recent state. The solid extract is usually 
unsatisfactory. 

Convallaria increases blood pressure and the flow of 
urine, has no cumulative action, and is very slightly toxic. 
It is of use when the ventricles are overdistended and 
dilatation begins in an absence of compensatory hypertro- 
phy and in venous stasis. 

Its most effective range, according to Germain-See, is 
cardiac paresis, palpitation, arhythmia, mitral constric- 
tion and insufficiency, dilatations, and cardiac dropsy. 

It does not take the place of digitalis when an imme- 
diate and decided impression is demanded, but for long- 
continued administration it is superior, since it is not cu- 
mulative, does not interfere with digestion, and exerts its 
diuretic action gently except in very large doses. 

Dose, infusion, from 1 to 3 tablespoonfuls, the large 
dose only temporarily ; U. S. P. f.e., 5 to 20 TTt ; green 
root fluidextract or ec. tr., 1 to 5 Til. Tinctures are too 
weak. The glucoside Convallamarin, 1-12 to 1 gr. 

Copaiba. A stimulant balsam with diuretic and ex- 
pectorant properties. Used in gonorrhea and inflamma- 
tions of urinary and respiratory tracts after subsidence of 
acute stage. Dose, oil, 5 to 15 TTt ; resin, 5 to 15 gr. 

Copper Sai/ts. Copper is a great oxygen carrier and 
is thought to favorably influence the hemoglobin when 
given in minute amounts, supplying oxygen and, as Grau- 



Copper Salts. 95 

vogl said, "neutralizing an overplus of ioclosmone in the 
blood." Thus, it is an antiseptic of great value. Apart 
from this, copper influences spasmodic affections and 
nausea and vomiting resulting reflexly from the absorp- 
tion of ptomaines and organic poisons. 

Precipitated metallic copper, in minute doses triturated 
with sugar, is sometimes used to get the uncombined ac- 
tion of copper, but Cupric acetate acts in a similar man- 
ner. The normal acetate, in doses of % gr., is used in 
chlorosis, spasmodic diseases, as a stimulant to blood mak- 
ing, and in diseases of the ductless glands. Externally, 
it is used in gonorrhea and conjunctivitis in 34 to 1% 
solution. There is a tincture made and used quite largely 
in Germany. It is a convenient way to use it. The dose 

is Va to 5 Til. 

Arsenite of copper is a powerful poison, of use in mi- 
nute doses. All three schools agree upon its indications 
and its dose. Its indications are diarrhea, with large and 
frequent discharges and accompanied by watery vomiting, 
colic, green and offensive stools. It is valuable in cholera 
infantum in frequent doses of i-iooo gr. or 3X and in- 
creased gradually. In doses of 1-50 to 1-100 gr. or 2x 
it is a valuable intestinal antiseptic for adults, sometimes 
of value even in typhoid fever. 

Sulphate of copper. Emetic, 2 to 5 gr. Nervine and 
alterative, *4 g r - Externally, to eye, 1 gr. to §, but as 
styptic to other tissues up to saturated solution. 

Corn Silk. See Zea. 

Cotton Root Bark. See Gossypi Cortex. 

Crat^gus Oxyacantha, English Hawthorn Fruit. 

This remedy is of too recent introduction to speak posi- 
tively regarding it. Very enthusiastic reports are appear- 
ing favoring it as an improvement over digitalis in the 



96 CrkoIvIN. 

treatment of heart disease. It is beneficial in chronic 
heart affections with a weak and irregular action. What 
more can be affirmed of it time will tell. Dose, f.e., 5 to 
10 TTt. If for long-continued administration, tr., 8 to 
15 HI- 

"Creoun," "Cresol,," "Lysol,," Crude; Carbouc Acid, 
Etc. 

The new U. S. Pharmacopoeia drops crude carbolic acid, 
calls purified carbolic acid "Phenol," and makes official 
"Cresol." 

The heavy oil of coal tar, which distils over at from 
325 to 375 Fahr., is the usual source of these products. 
Crude carbolic acid is a very complex substance, contain- 
ing "Phenol" and three isomeric cresols, hydrocarbons, 
and water. For many uses as a disinfectant it is just as 
serviceable and is much more economical than "Cresol." 

"Cresol" is the combination of the three isomeric cre- 
sols, and contains no phenol. It may be given internally 
in doses of 1 or 2 drops, well diluted. It is much more 
expensive than crude carbolic acid, and is to be preferred 
in surgical work. 

"Creolin" is practically saponified cresol. It is described 
as "saponified coal-tar creosote." Its advantage consists 
in being in such a state as to form at once an imperfect 
admixture with water. One fluidounce to a gallon is its 
usually employed aqueous mixture. Its disadvantage is 
that the mixture is turbid. 

"Lysol" is a 50% creosol product, the cresylic acid 
being in a free and soluble state. Its aqueous solution is 
clear. It is used in y 2 to 2% solution in surgery. Its 
disadvantage is that hands and instruments immersed in 
it are slippy. Bichloride solution washes the slippy coat- 
ing off the hands. 

AH of these agents are of much greater bactericidal 



Creosotum. 97 

power than phenol, and they are rapidly displacing it in 
surgery. 

Cr£osotum. "A mixture of phenols and phenol deriva- 
tives, chiefly guaiacol and cresol, obtained during the dis- 
tillation of wood tar, preferably of that derived from the 
beech, Fagus silvatica." Guaiacol, creosote, and cresol 
are somewhat similar in action, and can be administered 
after meals in cream, cod liver oil, whisky, or in cap- 
sules. 

Creosote is used in phthisis of a non-febrile character, 
sympathetic vomiting (in small doses), chronic bronchitis, 
fetid diarrhea. Locally, to carious dental pulp, and, di- 
luted, to burns and as an antiseptic. Dose, I to 5 n\. 

While cresol or "coal-tar creosote" can be used inter- 
nally, it is so apt to contain the toxic elements in excess 
that the safe plan is to use only beechwood creosote. 
Even this sometimes contains ccerulignol, and only re- 
liable makes should be used. 

Croton Oil.. See Ol. Tiglii. 

CubEba, Cubeb. Employed in the treatment of gonor- 
rhea after the active stage has subsided. Also used in 
gleet, catarrh of the bladder, and in some bronchial affec- 
tions with free secretion. F.e., 15 to 60 TTL ; oil, 5 to 15 
Vf[ ; oleoresin, 10 to 30 Tl\. ; tr., I to 4 f5. 

Cucurbita. There are two remedies known by this 
name : Cucurbita citrullus, or the ordinary watermelon 
(the seeds being employed), is quite markedly diuretic. 
The infusion of the seeds is a most excellent non-irritat- 
ing diuretic, valuable in the diseases of children who cry 
during urination, and who stain the diapers a deep color. 
It is useful in the active stage of cystitis in adults. Give 
them teaspoonful doses of the fluidextract. 

Cucurbita Pepo is the pumpkin. The U. S. P. desig- 



98 Cyprip^dium. 

nates it as "Pepo," the homoeopaths as "Cucurbita." They 
use small doses in the vomiting of pregnancy. The seeds 
are used to expel the tapeworm. Scald 2 ounces of the 
seed and peel off the outer skin when softened. Break 
up the inner pulp and eat with cream in the morning 
after a twelve to fifteen hours' fast. Two hours later take 
a dose of castor oil. 

Cyprip^dium, Lady's Slipper. Nervous stimulant, anti- 
spasmodic, analgesic. Only preparations of the fresh root 
carry the full activity of this drug, although the fluid- 
extract and oleoresin are of some value. 

This rather feeble agent finds its greatest field of use- 
fulness in cerebral hyperemia and functional nervousness 
of infants and in mild convulsive affections due to teeth- 
ing or to irritation of the brain in scrofulous children. 
With those children who are wakeful at night and yet are 
not ill and want to laugh and play, it is a very satisfactory 
drug. It will frequently take the place of an opiate and 
is not apt to do any harm, but it must be remembered that 
it is not a remedy for pain and its influence is in func- 
tional diseases, not in organic affections. 

It is of some service in the case of adults who suffer 
from nervousness, restlessness, and hyperesthesia induced 
by genito-urinary diseases, but is not to be depended upon 
in severe cases. 

Dose, ec. tr. or f.e., 10 to 60 TTL for adults. The former 
is the more active. 

Damiana, Tumera aphrodisiaca, is a native of Mexico 
and employed there in exactly the same manner as we use 
tea here, and is regarded as a pleasant, gentle stimulant 
without after-effects, and is not generally regarded in the 
light of a drug. There is no scientific evidence in favor 
of the claim that it possesses marked aphrodisiac prop- 






Digitalis. 99 

erties. See the Pharmaceutical Review, Vol. 22, p. 126, 
for an exhaustive study of the plant. 

Digitalis. A full consideration of this important drug 
will not be attempted here, but a few views will be pre- 
sented. The action of this drug depends very much upon 
how it is administered. If given in the way this little 
book advocates the administration of many remedies, viz., 
in small and frequent doses, it will do more harm than 
good, acting in an irregular and ofttimes in a depressing 
manner and irritating the gastro-intestinal tract. It is in 
this way that the cumulative action is apt to be brought 
about. If larger doses are given six to ten hours apart 
and not too long continued, there is no more reliable 
remedy as a heart stimulant. Heart stimulants should 
not be used for every trifle, but in prostration, surgical 
shock, in the crisis of debilitating disease, to slow a rapid 
and feeble pulse in sthenic fever with high temperature, 
compressible pulse and vital failure, the failing heart of 
pneumonia, cyanosis, impending death from mitral dis- 
ease, failure of heart in child-birth, these and many more 
serious conditions are promptly met with digitalis in free 
doses of the tincture or fluidextract. Do not combine 
with other heart stimulants or follow the dose with food 
or water or bulky medication. If the other heart stimu- 
lants are needed and are specifically indicated, each in 
its place, give the one indicated and reserve digitalis. 
Mixtures of three or four heart stimulants are highly ir- 
rational. F.e., 1 to 3 m, ; tr., 5 to 20 rri- In my hands, 
tinctures made of the recent herb are not superior to the 
U. S. P. preparations. 

Infusum Digitalis (U. S. P. 1^2%), in doses of y 2 to 
1 §, is a positive and most valuable diuretic; but do not 
give many doses as large as this, and keep patient in the 
recumbent position. The average dose of the infusion is 

tora. 



ioo DioscorEa. 

2 teaspoon fuls, and I § doses should not be given initially 
except where urgently demanded. A poultice of digitalis 
leaves applied directly over the kidneys will manifest the 
diuretic action in a short time. 

DioscorEa, Wild Yam. This antispasmodic and ano- 
dyne is usually incorporated in the formulae of "female 
regulators." Its action is upon griping pain or colic in 
the stomach or bowels. It is especially useful in bilious 
colic and the pain of muscular spasm in the intestines. 
The pain occasioned by the passing of gall-stones is much 
relieved by it. Spasmodic affections of the pelvic viscera 
and after-pains come within its sphere of action. F.e. 
or ec. tr., 3 to 60 nx ; seldom above 20 or 30 n\. 

DiurETin. An active diuretic recommended in dropsy 
and nephritis, especially that following scarlet fever. Dose, 
15 gr. in powder or capsule, followed by water, four or 
five times a day. 

Drosera, Sundew. This is a very valuable drug, but 
has well-defined limitations. Only preparations of the 
green plant are really active. The imported German tinc- 
ture, the ec. tr., and the mother tincture are reliable. 

Drosera is antispasmodic, expectorant, and a respira- 
tory sedative; highly useful in dry, irritable cough of a 
hoarse, resonant, and spasmodic nature. In my experi- 
ence it is, generally speaking, the best agent we have in 
whooping cough. Spasmodic dry coughs generally are 
much relieved by it, and especially the cough of measles. 
Laryngeal phthisis is relieved somewhat by this agent. 
It combines nicely with other expectorant agents and 
with aconite and bryonia. 

Dose, small and frequent doses are most useful. Ger- 
man tincture, 10 to 40 1TL ; ec. tr., 1 to 5 Til ; ©, 5 to 20 TTt- 

DuboisinE is used principally as a mydriatic. It is 



Dulcamara, ioi 

much stronger than atropine, and is sometimes employed 
hypodermically in mental diseases. Dose, 1-80 to 1-30 
gr. Externally, in 0.2 to 0.8% solution. 

Homoeopathic ophthalmologists use the 3X dilution of 
Duboisia, or corkwood tree, in the treatment of conjunc- 
tivitis, hyperemia of the retina, and for pain over the eyes. 
Personally, I have had no experience in its homoeopathic 
employment, but from its resemblance to belladonna, 
which we know relieves capillary hyperemia in small 
doses, it is reasonable to expect results of a similar nature 
from this more active drug. 

Dulcamara, Bitter-Sweet. In large doses narcotic, 
producing so many disagreeable symptoms as to be almost 
abandoned as a narcotic drug. 

Its physiologic action is quite complicated, and it is 
hard to work out its action in small doses. However, all 
schools agree in all essentials concerning it. Parke, Davis 
& Co. in their literature state it briefly as follows: "In 
large doses narcotic, but used principally as an alterative 
diuretic, diaphoretic, and discutient. Employed in the 
treatment of cutaneous eruptions, particularly of a scaly 
nature; also in chronic rheumatism and chronic catarrh." 
The homoeopaths arrive at the same place by the route of 
subjective symptomatology. I quote a homoeopathic au- 
thor (William Boericke, M.D.) : "Hot days and cold 
nights towards the close of summer are especially favor- 
able to the action of dulcamara, and it is one of the reme- 
dies that correspond in their symptoms to the conditions 
found as effects of damp weather, colds after exposure to 
wet, especially diarrhea. It has a specific relation also to 
the skin, glands, and digestive organs, mucous membranes 
secreting more profusely while the skin is inactive. The 
rheumatic troubles induced by damp cold are aggravated 
by every cold change and somewhat relieved by moving 



102 Dulcamara. 

about. Results from sitting on cold, damp ground. Con- 
gestive headache, with neuralgia and dry nose. Patients 
living or working in damp, cold basements." 

Now for an eclectic view of dulcamara in small doses : 
"Dulcamara is a remedy for all conditions resulting from 
suppression of secretion from exposure to cold and damp- 
ness. It will restore normal excretion and secretion. It 
is an excellent alterative if administered with care." 

This drug is one of very many instances in which I 
could quote three harmonious views expressed in a dif- 
ferent manner according to the school point of view. Any 
one studying materia medica in this way will soon dis- 
cover little reason for a divided profession. 

In small dose therapy, dulcamara is given in doses of 
f.e., 2 to 20 Til ; ec. tr. (very active), y 2 to 5 TT\, ; for chil- 
dren, ©, 1 or 2 TTt- The smaller doses are well to begin 
with, and may be carefully increased. 

DuoToiv. See Guaiacolis Carbonas under Guaiacol. 

Echinacea, Purple Cone Flower. This remarkable 
drug is rapidly coming into prominence. Several firms 
make excellent fluidextracts, but by far the best prepara- 
tion is a purified, decolorized, and assayed fluidextract 
given the trade name of Bchafolta. Its uses and doses 
are the same as the f.e. or ec. tr., but it is suitable for 
surgical purposes while they are not. 

Echinacea mildly irritates the terminal nerve endings, 
causes a feeling of constriction of the throat, promotes 
the flow of saliva, is diaphoretic and diuretic, stimulates 
the glandular organs, actively stimulates secretion and 
excretion, retrograde tissue metabolism, the lymphatic 
system, and the hematogenic processes. Thus, this agent 
actively opposes septic tendencies and blood poisoning. 
It does not appear to possess active toxic properties, but 
is somewhat sedative to the nervous system in large doses. 



Echinacea. 103 

This agent is used by all three schools in exactly the 
same doses and indications. The present author has used 
it largely, and esteems it most highly. It corrects blood 
depravation (so far as a drug can) when due to auto-in- 
fection of an acute type, progressive blood taints due to 
non-elimination or the slow development of toxins, ten- 
dencies to sepsis or non-traumatic gangrene, foul dis- 
charges and depraved states of the secretions, and morbid 
puerperal discharges. Secondarily, it opposes sepsis 
or zymosis from without. Naturally, this action is less 
marked and cannot be exercised quickly enough to be 
of any material advantage in most instances. It has long 
been the dream of therapeutists to get an antiseptic into 
the blood that would kill bacteria and not kill the patient. 
In introducing echinacea the most effective step in this 
direction thus far has been taken, and I have hopes that 
its principles will be isolated and be made suitable for 
hypodermic injection as we employ diphtheria antitoxin. 

As an intestinal antiseptic, echinacea takes first rank, 
and I firmly believe it to be of the most positive use in 
the initial stages of typhoid fever. In the eclectic wards 
of Cook County Hospital, Chicago, it has been carefully 
studied in this connection, and is much relied upon. In 
puerperal sepsis, next to mechanical or surgical measures, 
it is undoubtedly the most generally praised remedy we 
have. I cannot speak from personal experience in that 
matter. I can speak highly of it in septic laryngeal and 
throat affections, and, after antitoxin, uniformly employ 
it in diphtheria. In this disease it seems to be of most 
use in the after-stages, or at least its influence is not much 
manifest until then. Cases recover more quickly than 
when antitoxin alone is used. Subacute uremic poisoning, 
recurrent appendicitis with a mild septic but not necrotic 



io4 Echinacea. 

element, erysipelas and cholera infantum all appear to 
be benefited by it. It has been highly recommended in 
syphilis. Personally, I use it after a course of mercury, 
but the eclectics claim to cure syphilis without mercury. 
They rely upon echinacea, stillingia, iris, kalmia, and 
iodides, and do not use mercury unless the case fails to 
prosper. On the other hand, the homoeopaths use more 
salts of mercury and for more varied conditions than we 
do. So there you are. My advice would be to use it 
and afterwards depend upon echinacea, iodides, and stil- 
lingia, but do not give iodides and echinacea at the same 
time unless the iodides are given in small doses. 

Poisonous venoms from snakes, rabid animals, tarantu- 
las, and insects are effectively treated by echinacea and 
stimulants. Locally applied, echinacea is of use in boils 
and septic conditions, old ulcers, bed sores, carbuncles, 
and syphilitic skin lesions. 

Dose, "echafolta," or f.e. echinacea, 5 to 30 TTL. Usu- 
ally 5 to 8 nx every hour in acute, or every three hours 
in chronic, cases. Initial dose may be 1 teaspoonful. For 
surgical uses, "echafolta," 1 f§ to water, 1 pint. In severe 
cases and in dentistry twice this proportion. Do not ex- 
pect echinacea to displace the curette or to cure appendi- 
citis. 

Elaterinum, Blaterium. In large doses, a hydrogogue 
cathartic and diuretic, but is of variable activity. It may 
be cautiously employed in dropsy or as a depleting agent. 
The average dose of the U. S. P. Elaterin is 1-10 gr. 
Merck's crystalline elaterin is a much more definite agent, 
and is to be preferred. Its dose is 1-20 to 1-10 gr. The 
maximum dose of ec. tr. is 15 TTt. 

In small doses it has some reputation in the treatment 
of cystitis and inflammations of the neck of the bladder. 
For this purpose doses of 1-3 to 1 TTt oi ec. tr. will serve 



Elecampane. 105 

nicely. It is deserving of trial in this connection, but 
more direct methods with larger doses of drugs, such as 
triticum or corn silk, have acted better in my hands. 
Sometimes small doses will control violent vomiting and 
purging, but it should not be depended upon. 

Elecampane. See Inula Helenium. 

Epicea, Trailing Arbutus. The action is similar to 
uva ursi; chronic cystitis, dysuria, vesicae tenesmus, 
conditions due to uric acid and accompanied with muco- 
pus, are benefited by this agent. F.e., 30 to 60 Hi ; ec. tr., 
10 to 30 Tit. An infusion of the leaves is very prompt and 
satisfactory in action. 

Ergot, Spurred Rye. The chemists have never agreed 
regarding the constituents of ergot. Dr. Edward R. 
vSquibb has done more than any other man to perfect an 
ergot product for therapeutic use. The fluidextract con- 
tains a trace of acetic acid, which supposedly fixes the 
trimethylamine of ergot. The solid extract is a thor- 
oughly reliable preparation also. "Ergo tin" is a purified 
fluidextract adapted to hypodermic use, but rather thick 
for such use. It is very active. The sp. m. is quite alco- 
holic and not adapted to hypodermic use. It is free of 
acetic acid and ergot fat. It mixes clearly with water, 
and is suitable for the action in both large and small doses 
but must not be combined with alkalies. "Lloyd's Br got' 
is especially adapted to hypodermic use, as it contains no 
fat, alcohol, and inorganic salts. Its menstruum is glyc- 
erine and water, and it contains 0.20% of phenol. Parke, 
Davis & Co. put up ergot in hermetically sealed glass 
bulbs for hypodermic use. Bou jean's Brgotin is practi- 
cally the same as the German Pharmacopoeia extract. 

Ergot is used too much in obstetrics and too little for 
its other indications. It is only necessary to say that 



106 Ergot. 

ergot causes contraction of unstriped muscular tissues in 
all parts of the body to open up for it a wide field in 
therapeutics. Look up in your works upon histology how 
widely this tissue is distributed in the body, and you will 
appreciate ergot. Briefly, it is found in the hollow viscera 
and the blood-vessels. Hemorrhage of a non-traumatic 
nature from mucous membranes is best treated with a few 
full doses, or I f3 "Lloyd's Ergot" hypodermically in ex- 
treme cases. In cerebral apoplexy give such doses at fre- 
quent intervals until the full physiologic action of use in 
the case is reached. Do not temporize with apoplexy, even 
of mild type. If you use "Ergotin," it is best to dilute it 
a little with glycerine and water before injecting. For 
the relief of shock, ergot is most valuable. Shock is a 
vaso-motor paralysis with relaxation of the sphincters and 
non-striated tissues generally. Give in somewhat less 
dose than in apoplexy, but give it hypodermically. A 
dose just before general anesthesia reduces the danger of 
shock. It is a good thing to give ergot before a lapar- 
otomy, as the bowels move better afterwards, due to the 
stimulated peristalsis. Heat prostration responds well to 
large doses of ergot, since there is vascular relaxation. 

Dr. A. B. Conklin gives the indications for ergot in 
cases of shock and collapse, as follows: "A pale, cool, 
relaxed skin, bathed in cold, clammy perspiration, the 
mucous secretions being likewise increased, with involun- 
tary passages from the bowels and bladder. The pulse is 
soft and easily compressed, rapid, feeble, and possibly in- 
termittent. The heart's action is increased in frequency, 
but lacking in force, and well expressed by the word flut- 
tering. Its cavities are not filled, and the heart lacks blood 
on which to act, instead of being itself weak. The vessels 
must be made to return to their normal caliber, thus re- 
storing blood pressure." 



Ergot. 107 

Thus we can see the value of ergot in collapse from 
severe diseases in an algid, congestive, or paralytic stage. 
Delirium tremens and the induced mania is conquered 
more quickly by ergot than by narcotics. Insomnia from 
cerebral hyperemia, salivation from mercury, the diar- 
rhea of fright, meningitis, congestion of the brain, miliary 
aneurisms, and other diseases in which the circulation is 
at fault in the way ergot corrects are all directly benefited 
by its use. Very often it is well to alternate it with small 
doses of belladonna. 

The walls of hollow viscera and the sphincters being 
amenable to the action of ergot, it is ofttimes indicated in 
pulmonary vesicular emphysema, relaxed laryngitis, lack 
of intestinal peristalsis, incontinence of urine, enlarged 
spleen, relaxed pelvic viscera, and rectal tissues, relaxed 
scrotum, spermatorrhea, and other relaxed states of or- 
gans. 

In obstetric practice it arrests hemorrhage after de- 
livery. Works upon obstetrics should be consulted for the 
detailed indications in that sphere of work. 

Ergot is contraindicated where tonicity of non-striated 
tissues exists, in high blood pressure, or when endocarditis 
exists, or degenerative changes have occurred in the heart 
or vessels. Spinal anemia, or cerebral or spinal neurotic 
states, contraindicate ergot. Large doses too long contin- 
ued are apt to cause retention of urine. Spasmodic affec- 
tions are aggravated by ergot. Dose : F. E., ec. tr., or 
Lloyd's Ergot, 20 TTL to 2 f3; ext, 5 to 10 gr. ; Boujean's, 
1 to 5 gr. ; Yvon's Ergotin (fluid), 5 to 15 Til ; "Ergotole," 
5 to 20 Til. Small doses of ergot are seldom effective. 

Erigeron, Fleabane. This is a very valuable agent in 
passive hemorrhages without fever. It is especially ap- 
plicable in uterine hemorrhage, and has, in lesser degree 
than ergot, an action upon unstriped muscular tissues. 



io8 Eriodicyton. 

As a local application, it acts somewhat like turpentine, 
but is less irritating. 

Its application is in uterine, vesical, and intestinal hem- 
orrhage, chronic diarrhea, gonorrhea, leucorrhea, bron- 
chitis, phthisis, tympanites, and irritation from vesical 
calculi. 

Dose, oil of erigeron, 5 to 10 TTL upon sugar; ec. tr., 5 
to 30 rrt. 

Eriodictyon. See Yerba Santa. 

Eserine, Physostigmine. This substance and its sul- 
phate are used to restore normal optic conditions after 
the induction of mydriasis. One grain to the ounce of 
distilled water, dropping 1 T\ three or four times a day 
into the eye. Internally, 1-150 to 1-30 gr. very cau- 
tiously. See Physostigma. 

Ether. Anesthetic. Rarely used internally, but is 
sedative or stimulant according to dose. It is used in 
nausea from gastric depression, colic, angina pectoris, 
spasmodic asthma, and neuralgia of stomach or bowels — 
10 to 60 TTL. 

Ethyl. Acetate or acetic ether is a stimulating anti- 
spasmodic, while irritating yet positive in its control of 
convulsions in children. Give them 5 to 10 TTt in water 
every half hour or hour as needed until controlled. Bro- 
mide (not bromide of ethylene) is a general anesthetic, 
very depressing upon respiration, but is suitable for 
transient anesthesia in minor surgery and dentistry. It 
is imperative that it be absolutely pure. Chloride, put up 
in tubes and spray therefrom, used as local anesthetic and 
to freeze parts. Hold tube six to ten inches from parts. 
Highly inflammable. Iodide, an antispasmodic suggested 
in several states, but of too unstable a chemical nature 
and too disagreeable in use to be recommended. 



EUCAINE. IOQ 

Eucaine (A. and B.). Both substances are closely re- 
lated. Eucaine is a local anesthetic somewhat slower in 
action and slightly less toxic in action than cocaine. Used 
in 2, 4, and 10% solutions. 

Eucalyptus, Blue gum tree. The preparations of this 
valuable drug are many, but Bucalyptol is probably the 
most definite and generally useful. Tinctures and fluid- 
extracts depend in value upon how recent a leaf is used 
in making them up, since the eucalyptol soon evaporates 
from the dried leaves. The antimalarial influence of the 
drug seems to be better represented in a good fluidex- 
tract, and the antiseptic properties in eucalyptol. 

Eucalyptus is antimalarial, antiperiodic, febrifuge, and 
tonic, producing great increase of urea and possessing 
antiseptic properties. 

In large doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 20 to 30 lit) it is anti- 
malarial, rather slow in action, but peculiarly well adapted 
to cases where quinine irritates the nervous system, and 
to masked intermittents and so-called "dumb ague." Ma- 
larial neuralgia and ague with jaundice yield nicely to its 
persistent use. In low forms of fever, such as typhoid 
or scarlet fevers, its antiseptic and tonic properties are 
often of very distinct value, and it serves to keep the 
kidneys active. 

In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 3 to 10 TTt) it appears to 
be eliminated by the skin to just sufficient degree to stimu- 
late it, producing a feeling of warmth, while very large 
doses are known to cause vaso-constriction, which makes 
a cold surface. The secreting mucous membranes of the 
respiratory and gastro-intestinal system are affected simi- 
larly. Hence, this agent is useful in a cold and clammy 
skin and a heavy, inert sensation in the viscera. It should 
be combined with other indicated agents to remove the 
underlying cause of these subjective symptoms. 



HO EUONYMUS. 

Bucalyptol is a very valuable antiseptic as well as pos- 
sessing, in almost full measure, the virtues of eucalyptus. 
A few drops upon the surface of hot water is, next to 
calomel, the best inhalation to loosen diphtheritic mem- 
brane. At the same time give eucalyptus and jaborandi 
internally. As a gargle, spray, or inhalation (properly 
diluted), it is of value in bronchial catarrh, asthma, 
phthisis, etc. In chronic ulceration of the stomach and 
in septic, renal, and vesical troubles, as well as in most 
of the indications for eucalyptus, it is of value. Dose, 
5 to 15 TTL in capsules or on sugar. Locally, it can be 
used combined with oils. 

Euonymus, Wahoo. This drug is said to be the most 
direct of cholagogues. In very large doses it is a drastic 
cathartic. In moderate doses (f.e., 20 to 30 Til ; ec. tr., 
5 to 15 TTt; or Buonymin, y^ to y 2 gr.) it is a valuable 
hepatic stimulant, especially adapted to bilious malarial 
conditions. It markedly improves digestion, and is tonic 
in action. The homoeopaths esteem the ix trituration tab- 
lets (1-10 gr.) of euonymin in the treatment of albu- 
minuria. 

Eupatorium, Boneset. In very large doses is emetic. 
Moderate doses of the hot infusion are diaphoretic and 
valuable in colds, especially where the patient is sore and 
aches in the back and limbs. Masked intermittent fever 
is promptly benefited by it. If the herb is not at hand, 
add 10 or 12 TTL of ec. tr. to a cup of boiling water, and 
an excellent "tea" is the result. 

In small doses it acts upon the gastro-hepatic organs 
and bronchial mucous membranes, and is valuable in in- 
digestion, soreness in the chest, influenza, and catarrhal 
troubles generally. (F.e. or ec. tr., 5 to 15 TT\,.) If used 
as a "tea" the ec. tr., being- more aromatic and less bitter 



Euphorbia. hi 

than the fluidextract, is to be preferred. If boneset were 
a rare and expensive drug it would be highly esteemed. 
It is really very valuable within its proper field. 

Euphorbia. Several of the Euphorbiaceae are em- 
ployed in medicine. E. Corollata is employed in small 
doses (f.e., I to 5 Ity,) in atonic dyspepsia. E. Dathyris 
is employed by the homoeopaths for a host of conditions 
for which I can see no definite reason. In large doses it 
is a drastic purgative. E. Heterodoxa is a violent irri- 
tant. Its juice preserved with salicylic acid is the "secret 
cancer cure" employed by those who use "a purely vege- 
table preparation." There are authentic instances re- 
corded in which it has succeeded. E. Pilulifera has long 
been employed by the homoeopaths in humid asthma and 
hay fever, and has been introduced into regular medi- 
cine, but the dose usually employed (f.e,, 30 to 60 TT\,) 
is altogether too large. Use 5 to 15 TTt and it is fairly 
useful, although Sticta piihnonaria (q. v.) is much better. 
E. Resinfera is used in drop doses of the tincture in 
vesicular erysipelas and in the pains of cancer when not 
severe. It is toxic in large doses. 

Eupion is a distillation from wood tar, employed in 
low dilution by the homoeopaths for chronic uterine dis- 
eases resulting in displacements. One hears so much of 
the practicians of this school claiming to cure uterine dis- 
placements with internal medicines, but this is the basis 
of it. Probably it would act like small doses of turpen- 
tine. They use Abies canadensis, which is a terebinthin- 
ate, in the same connection. 

Exalgin. A synthetic analgesic to be given to chil- 
dren with great care, but they tolerate small doses very 
well. The agent is of value in chorea of recent char- 
acter and in pain of a nervous character. Adult dose, 4 
gr. ; maximum, 8 gr. 



U2 Fe)RRUM. 

Ferrum, Ferri Arsenas, is administered in certain dis- 
eases of the skin with anemia, notably in dry eczema and 
impetigo. In pill form, 1-16 to % gr. Ferrous bromide 
is used in scrofula and swollen glands in doses of 10 to 
40 TTt of the syrup. Ferri carbonas sac char atus of the 
U. S. P. is a valuable preparation possessing great re- 
storative powers. It is non-irritating, nearly tasteless, and 
not astringent. Persons who object to a pill can take 
powders of this preparation in place of Blaud's pill. It 
is a form of iron of peculiar value in anemic young peo- 
ple with pustular conditions of the face with acne, and in 
atonic conditions of the stomach, combined with hydras- 
tine and capsicum. Dose, 2 to 6 gr. Ferri Moridum, 
employed in U. S. P. tincture, in restoring red blood cor- 
puscles, in anemia, chlorosis, in chronic inflammation of 
the kidneys and albuminuria, and in acute erysipelas and 
diphtheria in cases in which the mucous membranes are 
red and the tongue not heavily furred. Average dose of 
tincture, 8 TTt. Ferri citras, tonic, astringent, hematinic. 
Dose, 3 to 10 gr. Ferri et ammonii citras is a good form 
of iron to dispense in solution. Both the citrate and am- 
monia citrate combine nicely with other drugs in solu- 
tion and do not injure the teeth. Do not give when there 
is gastric irritation. The dose of both salts is the same, 
3 to 10 gr. Ferri et ammonii sulphas requires larger do- 
sage, 5 to 15 gr. Ferri et ammonii tartras and the cor- 
responding potash salt act much as do the citrates, but 
may be given in larger doses. They are well adapted to 
children, and make up nicely in solution. Ferri et qui- 
nines citras and the Ferri et strychnine? citras are valu- 
able salts, but are too disagreeable to dispense in extem- 
pore prescriptions. The "Elixir Ferri, Quinines et strych- 
nines phosphatum, is to be recommended when these fer- 
ruginous elements are desired. There is no better general 



Ferrum. 113 

tonic, none of the expensive proprietary iron tonics being 
nearly so efficient. Ferri hydroxidum cum magnesii oxido 
is the official arsenic antidote of the U. S. P. Dose, 2 to 
8 f§. Ferri hypophosphis is used in an average dose of 
3 gr. Ferri iodidi, tonic, alterative, U. S. P. syrup. Dose, 
5 to 30 T1X. Ferri phosphas solubilis is of great value in 
debility following exhausting diseases. The average dose 
is 4 gr. Ferri sulphas, a tonic and restorative, and, in 
atonic conditions, an emmenagogue. Average dose, 3 gr. 
Ferrum reductum is one of our best iron tonics and of 
great value in the diseases of children. Dose, 1 to 3 gr. 
The many and important questions involved in the 
therapeutics of iron do not properly come within the 
province of a book such as this. Any possible point of 
view may be taken, yet, after all, iron enters into the 
system largely by its incorporation with hemoglobin, and 
the way in which it may be best administered is a mere 
matter of detail. Manufacturers of proprietary and so- 
called "organic iron" preparations to the contrary not- 
withstanding, we do not yet know just how iron reaches 
the hemoglobin nor just how it is taken up by it. Hemo- 
globin may be regarded as a mere organic iron com- 
pound, if you please. Personally, I do not believe the 
matter is one-half so simple as that. It is probable we 
are giving iron empirically. In a state of nature our food 
would contain all we needed of it, and that would perhaps 
be empiricism, too. Be that as it may, we have had alto- 
gether too much ultra-scientific pseudo-science about iron, 
and I am content to give it for much the same reason 
that I would place a little clean clay in the feeding trough 
of my horse now and then when I cannot turn him out 
to grass. Aside from the cravings of the tissues for iron 
as a food, its value in disease is too well known to re- 
quire comment. The U. S. P. recognizes so many avail- 



ii4 Ferrum. 

able forms of iron that we know are active and satisfac- 
tory that there is no occasion to employ the proprietaries. 
Some of them really contain very little iron, and others 
an unnecessary amount of wine. 

In small doses iron does not impress the system dif- 
ferently from large doses. It is simply a question of 
degree. The tendency is to give smaller doses than were 
formerly used. A careful study of sectarian literature 
upon iron has revealed little of value. An analysis of the 
"provings" of iron shows little but what we have long 
known along with much irrelevant and doubtful matter. 
They use one salt of iron we do not employ, the picrate, 
claiming that the second trituration cures senile hyper- 
trophy of the prostate. That is a fairly reasonable prop- 
osition. The sectarians use most iron salts in actual prac- 
tice just about as we do, and their pharmaceuticals are 
most excellent preparations of iron. 

Formaldehyde. This pungent gas can be produced by 
passing the vapor of wood alcohol over coarsely powdered 
platinum heated to redness. Various forms of generators 
and formaldehyde candles are in trade, and many of them 
are highly efficient. "Formalin" (pure medicinal) is a 
35% aqueous solution formaldehyde. It is a non-corro- 
sive antiseptic used in surgery in }4 to y 2 % solution usu- 
ally, and up to 2%. As a vapor or spray, i to 2% ; for 
collyria, 1-20% solution. "Cystogen" is an ammonia for- 
maldehyde salt, valuable internally to prevent the decom- 
position of urine in the bladder. It prevents or arrests 
the growth of pyogenic bacteria in the urine. Dose, 5 
to 7 gr., two to four times a day, dissolved in hot water. 
"Formin" "Aminoform" and "Urotropin" are practically 
the same thing. The U. S. P. has an official title for it 
— Hexamethylenamina, and the average dose is given as 
4 gr. All these preparations are the same thing practi- 



Fucus Vssiculosis. 115 

cally, and liberate formaldehyde by their decomposition 
in the body. 

Fucus Vssiculosis, Bladder Wrack. This is a sea- 
weed, active because of its contained iodine. It is used 
as an alterative and to reduce unhealthy fat in adipose 
persons, and in goitre. Dose, f.e., y 2 to 4 3; solid ex- 
tract, 5 to 30 gr. In Japan many species of seaweed are 
used regularly as food. The Eskimo and other maritime 
peoples use it. It has been noted that these people are 
markedly free of glandular troubles and tuberculosis. 

Gambir, Pale Catechu. This substace is now official, 
displacing Acacia catechu, formerly in use. The new 
compound tincture is given in teaspoonful doses. It con- 
tains, besides gambir, cinnamon and spirit, and is a grate- 
ful astringent carminative. The British Pharmacopoeia 
rejected catechu and substituted gambir some years ago; 
and our change is a wise one, since catechu is not so 
sweet as is gambir, and contains substances more apt to 
produce spontaneous gelatinization. 

Gamboge is a harsh and very toxic hydragogue ca- 
thartic, very wisely rarely prescribed except in small 
quantities to intensify the action of milder agents. The 
dose used to be given at 1 to 4 gr., but is now rated at 
% to % gr. in such combination. It thus enters into 
many formulae. 

Gaui/th^ria, Winter green. The oil is the most use- 
ful preparation, and contains about 90% of methyl-sali- 
cylic acid. Its dose is 5 to 10 TTt- Salicylic acid prepared 
from true (not synthetic) oil of wintergreen is far safer 
and more efficient than the ordinary acid. The various 
tinctures of gaultheria are eligible ways for its adminis- 
tration in small doses for various forms of neuralgia, 



n6 Gelsemium. 

gonorrheal rheumatism, inflammation of the bladder, and 
hepatic congestion. Dose, ec. tr., 5 to 15 Til ; tr., 30 to 
120 TTt. Do not mix with aqueous menstrua until mo- 
ment of administration. 

Gelsemium. This official drug comes into prominence 
through the efforts of the eclectics, who have always 
maintained that the recent root should be employed in 
making extracts and tinctures. They probably overstate 
the matter, but the present author has made almost daily 
use of gelsemium for sixteen years (it being a favorite 
drug with me), and I am satisfied that green root fluid- 
extracts of gelsemium give better results, if not more 
marked physiologic reactions, than does the U. S. P. 
preparation. There is a peculiar honey-like odor to green 
gelsemium largely dissipated by drying. The alkaloids 
extracted from gelsemium do not represent the thera- 
peutic values of the drug itself, but possess a certain use- 
fulness. Merck's Gelseminine is an antispasmodic and 
antineuralgic used in doses of 1-120 to 1-30 gr. An ini- 
tial dose of 1 -10 gr., followed by smaller ones, is a good 
physiologic antidote for strychnia poisoning. The U. S. 
P. f.e. and tr. are very representative preparations of the 
dried, and the ec. tr. and ® of the green gelsemium. 

Gelsemium directs its action principally to the central 
nervous system. By inhibiting nerve action it tends to 
diminish the blood supply to the brain and cord. It in- 
hibits excessive nerve action, relieving irritation in sthenic 
conditions, but doing harm in asthenic states. 

The indication for gelsemium is acute cerebral hyper- 
emia manifested by a flushed face, bright eyes, contracted 
pupils, and increased heat of the head. 

In the acute fevers of infants and children this agent 
is very generally indicated, and is most prompt and yet 
safe in its effects. Aconite could with great advantage 



Gelsemium. 117 

be displaced by gelsemium in many of these cases. If 
there is a spasmodic tendency manifested, pretty good 
doses can be given to a babe. Gelsemium is, like aconite, 
useful in the early stage of acute inflammation, but more 
particularly when there is hyperemia of the brain or cord. 
Never give it in asthenic congestions. With adults the 
early stages of cerebral, spinal, or meningeal inflamma- 
tions usually call for gelsemium, and it should be used 
in place of the bromides in a great many such states. 
Nervous wakefulness or nervous headache are often re- 
lieved by it at once. The surgeon finds it useful in the 
nervous excitation incident to peritonitis, salpingitis, and 
puerperal fever. Acute colds, some spasmodic coughs, 
acute nephritis from colds as well as post-diphtheritic or 
post-scarlatinal nephritis, spasmodic pain in the genito- 
urinary tract, and spasmodic urethral stricture, the first 
stages of gonorrhea, spasmodic ovarian neuralgia, uterine 
colic, a rigid os uteri in labor, excessive after-pains, hys- 
teria, initial stages of tetanus, chorea, facial neuralgia, 
torticollis, rheumatic fever, the irritable heart of hysteria, 
and many other conditions call for gelsemium as a part 
at least of the indicated medication. 

Dose, adults, f.e., y 2 to 5 TTL ; tr., 5 to 30 TT\, ; ec. tr., 
y 2 to 5 TTt ; ©, 3 to 20 TTt. Maximum single dose, f.e. or 
ec. tr., 10 TTL. 

In small doses. The therapeutics of this drug being 
so sharply defined by its rather circumscribed physiologic 
action, we have not attempted to separate the considera- 
tion into two groups of diseases since the actions of large 
and small doses differ only in degree. It is proper to 
state that successful homoeopaths use it in the first dilu- 
tion for its physiologic indications and in higher dilution 
for its homoeopathic indications, viz., "prostration, loss of 
muscular power, drowsiness, lassitude, dullness, and 
vertigo." 



n8 Gentians. 

Gentian^ Gentian, is probably the most reliable sim- 
ple bitter; possessing valuable tonic properties, it stimu- 
lates appetite and digestion and relieves atonic condi- 
tions unattended with pyrexia. F.e., 5 to 30 TTL ; com- 
pound tincture, 30 TTl to 2 3. The citro-chloride and the 
pyrophosphate of iron are frequently combined with it 
in the form of an elixir or a syrup. 

Geranium, Crane's bill. This is a valuable drug, but 
its preparations are unsatisfactory. In domestic practice 
the fresh root is boiled in milk, and in this form is moder- 
ately satisfactory. Few fluidextracts of this root are 
made from sufficiently recent material ; the eclectic tinc- 
ture is active, but is very liable to disintegration. The 
solid extract in 6 to 8 gr. doses or 1 gr. pills of geranin 
is fairly effective. 

Geranium is actively astringent, employed in gastro- 
enteric troubles with excessive mucous discharges and in 
throat difficulties as a gargle. It does not cause dryness 
of the mucous surfaces, and has no unpleasant influences. 
Besides the ordinary use in diarrhea and as an astringent, 
the eclectics esteem it in night sweats of tuberculosis, 
while the homoeopaths employ 30 TTL doses of the mother 
tincture in gastric ulcer, claiming that it will destroy the 
pyogenic membrane. It is an excellent remedy in tuber- 
cular hematuria. In general, it may be said that this 
agent is unduly neglected, and even though its prepara- 
tions are not ideal they are useful. F.e., 10 to 60 TTt ; 
ec. tr., 3 to 30 TTt ; ©, 10 to 60 TTt- Green root, f.e., 3 to 
30 TTt. It is difficult to make a full strength fluidextract 
of geranium. 

GivANDUiv^E Suprarenai.es Sicoe. Average dose, 4 
gr. See Adrenalin. 

Glandule Thyroid^ Sicc^, used in myxedema, 



Ginseng. 119 

psoriasis, goitre, obesity, mammary tumor, uterine fibroid, 
and in cretinism. Average dose, 4 gr. Watch the pulse 
when giving large doses. The homoeopaths employ this 
agent as above and also (in 3X attenuation) for tachy- 
cardia, palpitation, and in amblyopia. 

Ginseng. Two varieties of Panax, or ginseng, are 
employed. They are mild tonics of some little use in 
nervous and digestive disorders. 

Glonoin. See nitroglycerine. 

Gnaphauum, Cud Weed. This is a remedy valued by 
some physicians in cases of sciatica associated with numb- 
ness of the parts involved. Give in small doses. 

Gold. In ancient medical practice gold was used m 
scrofulous, and, somewhat more recently, in syphilitic dis- 
eases. Modern practicians have held that it is of especial 
value in syphilis in subjects of a scrofulous constitution. 
It is employed in secondary syphilis or to take the place 
of mercury. The 2x and 3X triturations of Aurum metal- 
licum are convenient and effective. 

Aurum arsenicum, in 3X trituration, is useful in syph- 
ilitic headaches, is said to increase appetite, and to benefit 
chlorosis. 

Auric chloride is alterative and antitubercular and use- 
ful in sclerotic and exudative nerve degenerations. Used 
in 1-50 gr. doses, and by the homoeopaths in 2x tritura- 
tion. 

Aurum and sodium chloride is alterative and nervine 
and of much value in doses of 1-24 to 1-6 gr., in nervous 
exhaustion, the early stages of Bright's disease, dipso- 
mania, syphilis, and chronic diarrhea. It is quite toxic, 
and small doses are to be preferred. The homoeopaths 
call it Aurum muriaticum natronatum, and use 2x and 



120 Gold. 

3x triturations in much the same indications, but also in 
ovarian and uterine lesions of a chronic nature. 

Aurum iodide, in 1-60 to 1-12 gr. doses, is a useful 
alterative in scrofula. The 3X and 4X triturations are 
employed in arterio-sclerosis and senile paresis. 

Aurum sulphuratum is used in 3X for paralysis agitans. 

In general, it can be said that gold and its salts are of 
decided value. When we consider that gold is similar to 
mercury in its alterative effects and combines with this 
nerve tonic and general restorative influences, its value 
can be well understood. The homoeopaths have gone 
more into its detailed study than has the regular school, 
and I know they have obtained highly satisfactory results 
with it in practice. 

Golden Seal. See Hydrastis. 

Gossypii Cortex, Cotton Root Bark. This is a power- 
ful emmenagogue and abortifacient in large doses. In 
smaller doses it is of value to control hemorrhages of 
uterine fibroids and incipient cancer. 

Most of the fluidextract of cotton root bark upon the 
market is nearly inert. Only the fresh or very recent 
bark is active. In consequence, the green fluidextract or 
ec. tr. should be used in doses of from 5 to 20 Til. 

Granatum, Pomegranate Bark. Employed as a 
vermifuge for the expulsion of tapeworm. Macerate 2 
ounces of the bark in a quart of water for one day and 
night, and then boil down to 1 pint. After a day's fast 
the patient can take this in four portions an hour apart. 
Follow with a laxative if necessary. Pelletierine, as de- 
rived from pomegranate, is effective in doses of from 1-5 
to y 2 gr., and the tannate of pelletierine, 5 to 15 gr., for 
an adult. Some authorities claim 5 gr. doses to be suffi- 
cient. 



Graphites. 121 

In small doses of the tincture or fluidextract this agent 
has been recommended in salivation. The mouth and 
throat may also be gargled with a decoction of the bark. 
It tends much to the comfort of the patient even if it 
does fail to cure. 

Graphites, Black Lead. This is a homceopathic rem- 
edy much derided by others. We will try herein to be 
at least fair to it. Graphite is a crystalline form of car- 
bon with an unctuous quality due to some substance not 
well defined. The present author has handled many 
grades of it in large quantity, and believes there is some 
peculiar hydrocarbon combined in it. At all events, 
long handling of it and ingestion of its dust produces 
ugly eczemas and cracked or fissured sores that exude a 
sticky or glutinous fluid with considerable gastrointes- 
tinal disturbance. 

The powdered graphite in 10 gr. doses has been given 
as an "anti-psoric," but the crystals are insoluble, and 
if it really possesses medicinal virtues it is probably not 
due to the carbon itself but to the substance taking the 
place of the water of crystallization, and it would require 
the disintegration of the crystals to free this substance 
and render it capable of absorption into the system. I 
know very well from disagreeable experience that there 
is an irritant in some graphite, and have no doubt that 
a trituration containing an appreciable amount of it 
would exert some influence not to be derived from pure 
carbon. On the other hand, I really cannot see what 
"high potencies" of this agent could do. Alcohol seems 
to extract the medicinal element of long triturated graph- 
ite, and one can taste and see the color of graphite in 
3x trituration. Personally, I believe it to be an alterative 
that influences markedly the secreting surfaces rather 
than the deeper tissues. In the absence of sufficient ex- 



122 Graphites. 

perience or definite data concerning its therapy, I will 
have to be content with what its sectarian advocates say 
of it and give its "indications" in brief for what they are 
worth, and would suggest that ix or 2x triturations will 
do whatever graphite can do. 

"Eatients inclined to an unhealthy obesity and a con- 
dition of the epidermis inclined to crack and fissure with 
an eruption that exudes a honey-like fluid; patient is in- 
clined to be sad, irritable, melancholy; moist eczema on 
the face; erysipelas, burning and stinging; eczema capi- 
tals which forms massive dirty crusts, matting the hair 
together ; unhealthy skin, every injury suppurates, and 
the skin oozes a watery, transparent, sticky fluid; leucor- 
rhea in gushes day and night ; crippled nails; old sores 
break open ; skin dry and inclined to crack. The remedy 
is especially indicated in females with a tendency to un- 
healthy corpulence, with deformed nails, menstrual 
troubles, and a characteristic exudation of the skin." 
(Wm. Steinrauff, M.D., "Materia Medica.") 

Locally, cerates of graphite have been employed from 
Hippocrates down to to-day. It is useful in fissured sores 
and sore nipples. 

Grindeua, Gum Plant or Rosin Weed. This agent is 
toxic in overdoses, producing a paresis of the pneumo- 
gastric. It is similarly used by all schools. It is indi- 
cated in asthmatic breathing and Cheyne- Stokes respira- 
tion, chronic spasmodic bronchial coughs, irregular heart 
action in chronic cough, and to relieve some of the symp- 
toms of hay fever and whooping cough. 

Locally applied, it has some reputation in poisoning 
by rhus toxicodendron, although alcohol and lead acetate 
are displacing it for this purpose. 

Dose, f.e., 30 to 60 Til ; ec. tr., 2 to 15 TTt ; solid extract, 
5 to 15 gr. 



GUAIACOL. 123 

Guaiacol acts in a similar manner to creosote, but is 
more readily tolerated by the stomach. Dose, 2 TTl grad- 
ually increased to 15 1TL, in pills, or in 1 or 2% solution 
in brandy, wine, or other vehicle, after meals. Guaia- 
colis carbonas (Duotol) is given in doses of 4 to 8 gr. 
in powder and gradually increased to 15 or 20 gr. Maxi- 
mum dose, 90 gr. in twenty- four hours. 

Guarana. This is the Brazilian cocoa. The natives, 
who roast and grind the seeds and make a beverage of 
them, much value this sort of chocolate as a tonic and 
mild nerve stimulant. It contains considerable caffeine 
and volatile oil, and possesses a tonic and restorative ef- 
fect in the gastro-intestinal disorders, inclining toward 
chronic diarrhea. The fluidextract is successfully used 
in sick headache in doses of 10 to 30 n\. In a great 
many cases in which the official fluidextractum cocse is 
used, guarana would give just as good results without 
the danger of implanting a drug habit. The average 
dose of the U. S. P. f.e. coca contains 1-7 gr. of coca 
alkaloids. 

H^maToxylon, Logzvood. A tonic astringent used in 
10 to 20 gr. doses of the extract in dysentery and re- 
laxed intestinal conditions. It has been claimed, but it 
is not substantiated, that small doses of this agent re- 
lieve the sense of constriction incident to angina pectoris. 

Hamamdus, Witch Hazel. A valuable astringent and 
antiseptic. The fluidextract of the leaves is probably its 
most available form for internal administration. The 
average dose is 30 Til, but 5 to 10 TTt is quite sufficient if 
for continued administration. The Aqua Hamamclidis 
is given in teaspoonful doses. The ec. tr. and distilled 
extract are similar. Wood alcohol is used in the making 
up of some cheap extracts and is to be strictly avoided. 

Therapeutically, it is indicated in bleeding from small 



124 Hamameus. 

vessels where their walls are at fault, and especially in 
case of slow inflammatory changes in venous tissues and 
in varicosities, purpura, phlegmonous ulcerations, oozing 
hemorrhages, and relaxed venous states generally. 

In sore throat with dark-colored membranes, spongy 
gums, catarrh with slight hemorrhage, hemorrhoids with 
bleeding and soreness, too frequent menstruation with 
soreness in abdomen, and in muscular soreness with a 
bruised feeling this agent is indicated. 

Externally, the distilled extract is used in a host of 
minor affections, and is peculiarly effective when applied 
to the rectal tissues, the vaginal walls, sore breasts, and 
superficial burns. Applied hot, it is of marked utility in 
the local and pelvic soreness following a hard confine- 
ment. Ten grains of menthol to 4 fluidounces of dis- 
tilled extract witch hazel is recommended by Ellingwood 
as an application to relieve the pain of burns. The rectal 
suppositories of witch hazel and buckeye have a large 
range of usefulness. 

This agent is much valued by homoeopathic physicians, 
who insist that it acts best in most cases by using it 
externally and internally at the same time, giving 10 TTt 
doses of the tincture and applying the distilled extract 
in 25% solution or the tincture in full strength. Some 
of the older homoeopaths still employ it in dilutions or 
"potencies." 

Hexleborus Niger, Snow Rose or Christmas Rose. 
This is a toxic agent, in large doses producing drastic, 
hydrogogue catharsis, sensorial depression, convulsions, 
weak heart, and muscular weakness. Very large doses 
are fatal. It has been considerably used in proprietary 
pills advocated for dropsy. The older eclectics used it 
combined with bryonia, in hydrothorax, but if so used it 
should be carefully watched. 



Hexleborus. 125 

In small doses (ec. ti\, Y^ to 1 TTt at frequent intervals) 
it is advocated by the eclectics in mental states in which 
the abdominal organs are seriously at fault and are a 
causative factor. The homoeopaths make a very rational 
use of it in the state of effusion of hydrocephalus (ix to 
3x), and small doses ® in mania of a melancholy type. 
In these doses it is a stimulant to all the glands of the 
gastro-intestinal tract. In adults, the lower dilutions (ix 
or 2x) probably have some effect in mental troubles asso- 
ciated with low states of vitality, but these effects are not 
very marked. With children, however, these small doses 
often serve a useful purpose, especially when they have 
disturbed sleep in the course of disease, screaming with- 
out awaking, boring the head into the pillow, and irregu- 
lar respiration. It seems to equalize the circulation in 
the brain in these conditions. If there is fever or a 
flushed face give the little one small doses of gelsemium 
in alternation with helleborus. 

Be very careful in giving large medicinal doses if given 
at all, as they are apt to suddenly depress the heart. 

Hexonias Dioica, Starwort or False Unicorn. This 
is another of the loosely prescribed uterine tonics. 

In large doses it is a cardiac depressant, emetic, and 
vermifuge. Cattle are killed by eating it, and its decoc- 
tion is fatal to insects and small animals. It is usually 
prescribed in doses altogether too large. 

In moderate doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 5 to 10 TTt) its in- 
fluence is upon the glandular tissues of the digestive and 
urinary systems, improving digestion, and toning the 
liver. It is a tonic to the genito-urinary apparatus, over- 
coming the phosphatic diathesis, relieving albuminuria if 
due to irritation, and favorably influencing diabetes mel- 
litus and insipidus. It relieves a tender, aching kidney, 
but is not applicable in degenerative processes. 



126 H^PAR SuivPHURIS. 

In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., i to 3 TT\, ; ©, 5 TT\, every 
two hours) it is distinctly curative in pelvic engorgement, 
resulting in a dragging sensation or uterine prolapsus 
with too frequent or profuse menses. Tlw is all it does 
effectively in uterine diseases, and the small dose is more 
prompt in action than the large dose usually given. Re- 
member the toxicity of this drug. 

Hepar SuivPURis, Impure Calcium Sulphide. The salt 
employed by the homoeopaths in ix to hasten suppuration 
and in 6x in the treatment of scrofula and ulcerations 
generally. It probably presents no advantages over ordi- 
nary calcium sulphide (q. v.) unless it be to eliminate 
mercury from the system. 

Heroin, Diacetyl-Morphine. This allotropic form of 
morphine is an acetic ester of morphine insoluble in 
water but soluble in very dilute solution of acetic acid. It 
should not be combined with alkaline mixtures. It is ad- 
vocated as a substitute for codeine, and is used in doses 
of 1-32 to 1-6 gr. It is a cough sedative and antispas- 
modic. It is a very frequent constituent of proprietary 
expectorants sold to the public generally. In these mix- 
tures it is more dangerous than is morphine, since it 
should never be administered to children. The present 
author has seen heroin give rise to very sudden depression 
even in quite small doses. The journals frequently re- 
port such cases, and it is developing that heroin some- 
times induces a drug habit much more intractable than 
the morphine addiction. If employed at all, heroin should 
be used with the utmost of care. 

Hexame)Thyi,Enamina. The U. S. P. designation for 
hexa-methylene tetramin, an ammonia condensation prod- 
uct of formaldehyde. It is the same general type of 
product as are "Urotropin," "Formin," and "Cystogen." 



HOM ATROPINE. 127 

These products increase the excretion of urine and uric 
acid and carry an antiseptic direct into the urinary tract. 
The dose is from 1 to 10 gr. Average dose, 4 or 5 gr., 
dissolved in hot or carbonated water, after meals. 

Homatropin^ Hydrobromidum. This agent is seldom 
employed internally. The U. S. P. wisely gives its dose 
as 1 -128 gr. (average). This is safe, but it has been 
advised in 1-20 gr. for excessive night sweats. In regard 
to this, it may be said that it takes doses verging upon 
the toxic to control severe night sweats with any of the 
belladonna derivatives. On the other hand, the experi- 
ence of some of the tuberculosis sanitoria is that proper 
diet and fresh air render such agents almost unnecessary. 
Personally, I have frequently controlled excessive sweats 
with small doses of muscarine in some form. 

In the determination of refraction in ophthalmic prac- 
tice this mydriatic is prompt but evanescent. Use 4 gr. 
to the ounce of distilled water. 

Humulus, Hops. This homely remedy is successfully 
employed in nerve irritation and insomnia due to mental 
distress, especially when associated with poor digestion. 
Locally, a muslin bag filled with hops is applied, after 
immersing in hot water, to local inflammations and pain- 
ful areas. Dose, tr., 1 to 2 fo. 

"Lupulinum" (U. S. P.). Lupulin contains to the full 
the virtues of hops. It is anaphrodisiac, used in priapism 
and chordee. It acts in harmony with camphor mono- 
bromate (lupulin and monobromate, 5 gr. each in cap- 
sule) in this connection. The ec. tr. in 10 Tl\ doses, com- 
bined with Tr. Gentianae Co., is a tonic in irritable nerv- 
ous states vastly superior to beer or the so-called malt 
tonics. 

Hydrargyrum. See Mercury. 



128 Hydrastis. 

Hydrastis, Golden Seal. This highly useful but ex- 
pensive drug has many preparations. The fluidextract 
well represents its activities. The U. S. P. gives the 
average dose as 30 TTL - Personal experience leads me to 
believe it would be wise to divide this figure by three. 
It can be given in diluted and flavored glycerine or in 
some simple elixir. The U. S. P. tincture is preferable 
in some regards. Dose, 20 to 60 1TL. The ec. tr. is an 
alcoholic fluidextract containing a bitter coloring prin- 
ciple, berberine, the so-called white alkaloids, hydrastine, 
canadine, resin, and oily principles. Use in half the fluid- 
extract dose. Lloyd's colorless hydrastis is non-alcoholic 
and contains the colorless alkaloids, inorganic salts, and 
considerable glycerine. Hydrastine is given in doses of 
from y 2 to 3 gr. as usually made, but the hydrastine (al- 
kaloid) as made by Merck and others in one-third this 
dose. Merck's hydrastine hydrochlorate is given in doses 
of ^4 to 1 gr. It is a white powder, whereas Merck's 
hydrastinine hydrochlorate is a yellow, crystalline powder, 
and the maximum dose is J^ gr. The alkaloids are very 
high in price, and are apt to disappoint in practice when 
given internally. Where something cheaper will do 
plants containing considerable berberine, such as berberis 
aquifolium, or else berberine phosphate, serve very 
nicely. Really, hydrastis is overrated to-day and ber- 
beris is not sufficiently appreciated. Berberis combines 
in ordinary mixtures much better than does hydrastis. 

In physiologic action hydrastis stimulates the nervous 
system in a manner somewhat similarly to brucine. 
Strychnine, brucine, and hydrastis are a descending scale 
in intensity of nerve stimulation, but each successive step 
downward is one toward more prolonged action. They 
bear the same relationship as do nitroglycerine, dyna- 
mite, and gun powder. 



Hydrastis. 129 

Hydrastis stimulates respiration and circulation; it 
stimulates muscle tonus and inhibits fatty and other de- 
generative muscle changes. In the gastro-intestinal re- 
gion it stimulates peristalsis and increases normal secre- 
tions. 

The therapy naturally divides into three headings. 
When the nerve and muscle stimulating properties are 
called for, give large doses; to influence secretion, small 
doses as a rule. It is also used locally. 

In large doses it is employed in chronic alcoholism in 
conjunction with gold, strychnine, gentian, and capsicum. 
It is useful in general debility with defective assimila- 
tion and nerve atony. In this connection it operates in 
harmony with iron, quinine, and ignatia. In uterine sub- 
involution and passive post-partum hemorrhage give in 
large doses with other indicated remedies. Large doses 
are recommended in night sweats and in altered states of 
the heart muscle. In marked atonic dyspepsia with jaun- 
dice large doses are demanded at first. 

In small doses it applies to many functional disorders 
of the stomach, especially when catarrhal in character. 
Capsules containing the powdered drug act well in this 
connection. It may be combined with laxatives, digest- 
ants, and bismuth. In irritable states of the stomach the 
fluid preparations, especially the colorless hydrastis, prob- 
ably act better. In dilatation of the stomach, long-con- 
tinued use of small doses of hydrastine hydrochlorate is 
effective. The homceopathic's 2x tablet triturates seem 
to act nicely. In chronic constipation with hepatic con- 
gestion it acts nicely combined with leptandra, and, when 
there is nausea or sick headache, iris or chionanthus. In 
the second stage of gonorrhea and when ulcers upon the 
skin resist local treatment give hydrastis. 

In all catarrhal conditions characterized by a thick, yel- 



130 Hydrogen Peroxide. 

low, ropy secretion, no difference where located, give 
small doses of hydrastis. (F.e., 3 to 5 TTL.) 

Locally, in varying strength, to relaxed and unhealthy 
mucous membranes and as a gargle in ulcerated sore 
mouth, colorless hydrastis in 5 to 30% solution. Hydras- 
tine hydrochlorate (Merck) in conjunctivitis, 1-10 to 
1-5% solution; gonorrhea, Y^ to y 2 % solution; in skin 
diseases, 1%. The glycerite of hydrastis is used in cer- 
vical erosions. 

Hydrogen Peroxide, "Aqua Hydro geni Dioxidi." (U. 
S. P.) Disinfectant, deodorant, styptic, and antizymotic. 
Used externally in diphtheria, gonorrhea, abscesses, and 
wounds. Internally, in flatulence, catarrhal gastritis, fetid 
diarrhea, etc. Dose, 15 to 40 nx diluted with water. 
In spray, 10% and stronger. Externally, up to full 
strength according to uses. 

Hyoscyamus, Henbane. This good old remedy of our 
fathers has been, for some reason, pushed aside, although 
its powerful derivatives, hyoscyamine and hyoscine, have 
recently been given a dangerous prominence. For a dis- 
cussion of them see Belladonna. 

Prof. Locke has well said of hyoscyamus: "Compared 
with opium as a hypnotic and anodyne, though not so re- 
liable, it is many times preferable for these reasons: It 
relieves spasms, quiets the nervous derangement, and pro- 
duces sleep, with no arrest of secretions, and it does not 
constipate, nor does it arrest the flow of bile or urine. 
It may be employed when opium is contraindicated. It 
is a very successful agent in pulmonary affections. It 
lessens the cough and irritability, and does not arrest the 
secretions. In inflammatory conditions of the liver and 
kidneys it may be used to relieve pain, and here it is 
better than opium, for it acts without producing head- 
ache." 



Hyoscyamus. 131 

In large doses hyoscyamus must be employed with care, 
since it sometimes causes delirium and an eruption upon 
the skin. In tremors and contractures of paralysis agi- 
tans give full doses (f.e., 15 to 20 Til). In hallucina- 
tions and sleeplessness of the insane the same dose or a 
full dose of hydrobromate of hyoscine. In mania, de- 
lirium tremens, and puerperal insanity give fairly large 
doses, but where the delirium is "low and muttering" do 
not give large doses in any form of disease. Painful hem- 
orrhoids, cancerous ulcers, and other painful visceral le- 
sions are given ease by but moderate doses. 

In small doses there is no doubt at all that hyoscyamus 
is a useful but neglected remedy. The eclectic indica- 
tions are given as follows : "In all conditions where there 
are busy delirium, hallucinations, weight in the front part 
of the brain, extreme activity of the mind, disturbed sleep 
with wild and frightful dreams, coma vigil, flushed face, 
wild, red, and restless eyes, it is a remedy. In the rest- 
lessness, ceaseless agitation, and insomnia of exhaustion, 
and in diseases of infants and of the extreme aged and 
feeble, it is especially applicable." They give it by drop- 
ping from 5 to 15 drops (according to age) of the f.e. or 
ec. tr. in half a tumblerful of water and giving a tea- 
spoonful of the dilution every fifteen minutes. They em- 
ploy it a great deal in pneumonia in infants and the aged, 
in bronchitis and irritable cough, neuralgia of exhaustion, 
the bone pains of syphilis, ovarian and other visceral pain, 
nervous palpitation of the heart, and in hysteria. The 
eclectics are pretty careful therapeutists, and I doubt not 
they get good results from these small doses. In case of 
cough and other conditions with longer dose intervals 
they increase dose to some extent. 

Homoeopathic indications add little of any value, as 
they employ it in much the same manner as the eclectics. 



132 Hypericum. 

They use the third dilution, however, in the muttering de- 
lirium of typhoid, but that is about as far as a level- 
headed homoeopath will dilute this drug. Most of them 
use the tincture or the ix. 

Personally, I get good results from small doses of the 
f.e. 

Hypericum, St John's Wort. This is purely a homoeo- 
pathic remedy, and many writers make the ridiculous 
claim for it that its dilutions will prevent tetanus follow- 
ing punctured wounds. 

So far as I can determine, the drug possesses astrin- 
gent and sedative properties especially influencing ter- 
minal sensory nerve filaments. In larger doses it influ- 
ences the nervous system at large. 

In large doses (©, 5 to 20 TTt ) it is recommended in 
nervous and spinal injuries due to shock or concussion, 
in painful spinal irritation without fever and in suppres- 
sion of urine due to nervous shock. Probably other 
agents would serve as well or better in all these indica- 
tions. 

Locally (1 to 2 f§ © to 1 pint water), it is really a use- 
ful remedy in relieving the pain of lacerated and painful 
wounds in which nerves have been cut or bruised. It 
very promptly relieves the pain, and can be applied to 
advantage after proper antisepsis has been first carried 
out. Upon the unbroken skin it has little effect. The 
hypericum oil is largely used throughout Europe as an 
application to recent and painful contusions and excoria- 
tions. It appears to give satisfaction when the lesion is 
superficial. The non-alcoholic hypericum is used by 
homoeopathic surgeons in the treatment of superficial 
burns. The ones among them who reject the "potency" 
theory employ this preparation internally in pretty large 
doses. 



Iberis Amara. 133 

IbEris Amara, Bitter Candytuft. This is one of the 
remedies used from antiquity and recently reintroduced. 
It is used in enlarged heart to control vascular excitement 
and allay reflex irritability. In dyspnea and bronchial 
spasm, vertigo, and dropsy of cardiac origin it is highly 
recommended by many authorities. Its mother tincture 
appears to be the best preparation. Give in doses of 3 
to 8 TTL- 

IchthyoIv. An antiphlogistic, antiseptic, and altera- 
tive. Internally, its action is akin to sulphur, but its in- 
dications are not very clear and it is seldom so used. 
Some cases of nephritis respond to it. The homoeopaths 
extol its lower "potencies" in chronic rheumatism and 
chronic hives and in stomach troubles with nausea and 
increased appetite. 

Externally, it is used in from 5 to 50% proportions in 
ointments, lotions, etc., in erysipelas, lymphatic indura- 
tions, rheumatism, indolent injuries, scrofulous enlarge- 
ments, and a host of skin diseases. Glycerine tampons to 
uterine os, 10% ; bougies in gonorrhea, 1 or 2 n^. Use 
pure in ivy poisoning; 10% in oil sweet almonds, as an 
application in variola; in rheumatism, oii to adeps 51. 
Before applying ichthyol, wash the parts with warm 
water and dry. After application to joints or severe le- 
sions, it is well to cover parts with flannel and gutta- 
percha tissue. 

There is no occasion to give over 30 TTL (or grains) 
per day in any case, and it is wise to begin in any case 
except in ivy poison with ointments not exceeding 25%. 

Ignatia Amara, Bean of St. Ignatius. This is a milder 
remedy than nux vomica, containing less strychnia. For 
stimulation and the general influence of large doses, nux 
vomica is to be preferred to it. This is also the case 



134 Indigo. 

when small doses are given to stimulate intestinal peri- 
stalsis. 

In small doses ignatia has a field of its own, since it is 
less irritating to the nerves and possesses a more kindly 
influence in cases in which the emotional element pre- 
dominates. Hence, it is serviceable in the illnesses of 
women of sensitive and excitable nature where nux 
vomica often aggravates the case. It can also be given 
for a great length of time where a mild nerve tonic is 
demanded. Its influence in hysterical and sexual neuras- 
thenias and in prolonged nervous depression is much bet- 
ter than is that of nux vomica. Give of f.e. or ec. tr. 
1-6 to y 2 TTt several times a day. It combines well with 
vegetable bitter tonics, generally. 

Indigo possesses a marked influence upon the nerv- 
ous system. The homoeopaths use the 3X in epilepsy 
with melancholia and in sciatica. Its value is problemati- 
cal. 

Inula, Elecampane. A tonic to the nutritive functions 
and to the respiratory and urinary tract. Its extractive 
principle, helenin, is said to possess antiseptic properties 
useful in typhoid, tuberculosis, and erysipelas. 

This drug is given in three leading indications, viz., 
in atonic conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract, as a 
tonic following prolonged respiratory diseases, and in 
catarrhal states of the genito-urinary organs. Dose, f.e , 
20 to 60 TTt. Helenin, 1-12 to % gr. 

Infusions (U. S. P.) ordinarily contain 5% of the 
drug, but digitalis is directed in ij^% and wild cherry 
4%. 

Iodine (U. S. P. "Iodum"). See the text-books for 
a detailed consideration of this drug. The crystals are 
occasionally given in 1-10 gr. doses incorporated with 



Iodine. 135 

some inert substance, as a triturate. The maximum close 
is 1 gr. The tincture may be given internally in 1 to 5 
drop doses, well diluted. Iodized sesame oil is given in 
doses of 1 to 3 f3 in emulsion. It liberates its iodine 
slowly when ingested. The decolorized tincture, used in- 
ternally, is absorbed without precipitation. The brown 
iodide of lime, originated by Nichols, is a loose combi- 
nation of iodine and calcium oxide, and sets nascent iodine 
free when taken into the stomach. Give in doses of y$ 
to 1 gr. Spongia or burnt sponge (q. v.) is another 
available way for giving iodine. 

There has been a good deal of dissatisfaction with the 
iodides when prompt results are desired, and iodine is 
coming more into use as an internal remedy. Either 
iodized lime or spongia may be used with assurance in 
non-diphtheritic croup or glandular troubles. The other 
preparations are available, but are more irritating. 

IodoFormum, Iodoform. This agent is used more or 
less internally, being of real value in the treatment of 
tuberculosis with intractable hemorrhage and of some 
utility in tubercular meningitis. It is exceedingly dis- 
agreeable to the patient, however. Dose, ^ to 2 gr. 

Locally, iodoform is much used, although one must 
avoid its toxic influences by the exercise of due care. It 
is used in wounds freely discharging and in putrid sores. 
It does not appear to stimulate granulation to any great 
extent. Vaginal suppositories may contain 5 gr. of iodo- 
form; rectal suppositories 2 or 3 gr. Ointments usually 
contain 5 to 10%. In tubercular joint affections, injec- 
tions of 10% oily emulsions are used. The soluble ure- 
thral bougies should seldom contain over 1 gr. 

Ipecacuanha, Ipecac. In large doses (10 to 20 gr. ; 
f.e. or ec. tr., 10 to 20 Tit in hot water ; or syrup, 3 or 4 



136 Ipecacuanha. 

teaspoonfuls) ipecac is a most valuable and safe emetic, 
acting without prostration. It is the best emetic for chil- 
dren or to relieve sick headache due to undigested food 
in adults. In cases of poisoning, ipecac is not sufficiently 
prompt unless combined with other emetics. It is well 
to remember that continued large doses of ipecac will 
produce a most obstinate diarrhea. 

In moderate doses it is expectorant, and is indicated in 
coughs with deficient secretion. One TTt doses of the 
fluidextract at greater or less intervals, in accordance 
with degree of relaxation desired, is the average for 
an adult. In the sudden bronchitis of childhood, 5 to 10 
TTt doses of the syrup every hour until nausea is in- 
duced gives excellent results. In the later stages of 
pneumonia in adults the powdered ipecac is used in y 2 gr. 
doses three or four times a day. Small doses of Dover's 
powder and quinine, combined in a capsule, may be given, 
and seems to promote the process of resolution. Some 
authorities recommend moderate doses of ipecac in hem- 
orrhage. It is a vascular sedative, relieving blood press- 
ure, and hence its discreet use in this connection is to be 
commended. 

In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 1-10 to % TTt) ipecac is 
indicated in irritation of the mucous membranes, espe- 
cially of the gastro-intestinal tract when there is deficient 
or defective secretion. Nausea and vomiting, where the 
mucous membranes are relaxed and a white coating upon 
the tongue, very promptly yield to small doses of ipecac. 
The small dose in combination with aconite is of peculiar 
value in many of the diarrheas of infancy. In dysen- 
tery or in cholera infantum the same combination is effec- 
tive in alternation with an antiseptic or following a chola- 
gogue. Soon as the acute stage is over, discontinue the 
ipecac and aconite. If there is dysenteric tenesmus use 



Iridium. 137 

gelsemium in the place of aconite. In the pneumonia of 
childhood small doses act well in combination with the 
other remedies indicated. Ipecac, bryonia, and aromatic 
spirits of ammonia make a serviceable mixture for these 
cases. 

Iridium. In homoeopathic practice, 3X triturations of 
this metal are used in anemia and as a restorative after 
exhausting disease. 

Iris Versicolor, Blue Flag. In large doses a reliable 
preparation of iris containing the unchanged oleoresin is 
purgative, cholagogue, and diuretic, but large doses are 
irritant and should not be long used except in intractable 
diseases of the liver. Give 10 to 15 Til doses of ec. tr., 
as the fluidextract is seldom active. The trouble with 
this drug is that its oleoresin is gradually replaced with 
red tannates during growth. This is particularly the 
case with all southern-grown iris. The eclectics value 
this drug very highly and take the utmost care in its 
manipulation, whereas it has been dropped from the 
U. S. P., since the official preparations failed to give 
results. 

In small doses it is a highly useful remedy, being 
markedly alterative and directly stimulant to the entire 
glandular system, but more particularly influencing the 
pancreas and the intestinal glands. It promotes retro- 
grade tissue metamorphosis. It is indicated in deficient 
elimination from the skin and kidneys accompanied by 
jaundice and clay-colored stools, in irritable conditions of 
the gastro-enteric mucous membranes occasioned by al- 
tered or morbid secretion and by inaction of glandular 
tissues. The oleoresin in 1 or 2 gr. doses is valuable in 
chronic and malarial jaundice, but in most of the indi- 
cations for small doses of iris a fluid preparation is pref- 
erable. Iris is peculiarly effective in sick headache and 



138 Iron. 

cholera morbus, nausea, pyrosis, and gastralgia. One or 
2 n\ doses of ec. tr. every hour suffice in these indica- 
tions, and some cases do well upon even smaller doses. 
As an alterative, in 3 to 5 TTt doses, it is effective in 
many glandular enlargements and in pustular and chronic 
skin diseases. The dose may be run up to 10 17\,, espe- 
cially in the treatment of syphilis marked by glandular 
inactivity, but do not begin with such large doses. 

There is no reason why a reliable fluidextract of this 
drug cannot be made, and doubtless some makes are re- 
liable. The U. S. P. revisers made a distinct mistake in 
dropping it from the eighth revision. The homoeopaths 
claim that dilutions of this drug are effective in a host 
of subjective phenomena that proper analysis resolves 
into physiologic indications similar to those stated above. 
Their lower triturations of Irisin are effective, and are 
used by them in gonorrheal rheumatism as well as in 
digestive disturbances. 

Iron. See Ferrum. 

Jaborandi. See Pilocarpus. 

Jacaranda, Caroba Tree. The homoeopaths use the 
tincture of jacaranda in venereal diseases and rheuma- 
tism. 

Jalapa, Jalap. This is an old remedy little used at 
present. It is an active cathartic, principally influencing 
the small intestine. The doses as now given are — extract, 
2 to 5 gr ; compound powder, 20 to 60 gr. ; resin, 1 to 3 

The old "Beach's anti-bilious physic" was composed of 
powdered jalap, 8 §; powdered senna, 1 pound; ginger, 
1 §. Triturate together and give a large teaspoonful, in 
sweetened water, at one dose. This mixture is effective 
in case of impacted rectum. A dose can be given every 



Jambul. 139 

six hours until free evacuation results. Jalap combines 
well with santonine as a vermifuge, and is a useful laxa- 
tive, in moderate doses, in cases where hemorrhoids con- 
traindicate stimulating purgatives. 

Jambul, Syzygium Jambolanum. The seed of this tree 
possesses an inhibitory influence upon diastasic fermenta- 
tion, and its administration in saccharine diabetes is fol- 
lowed by a reduction in the sugar eliminated. Aside from 
this action it increases renal blood pressure, stimulates 
respiration and intestinal peristalsis, and is non-toxic in 
very considerable doses. It is a remedy highly esteemed 
by intelligent physicians in India and recently taken up 
by American homceopathists who confirm the statements 
of these gentlemen. The powdered seeds are given in 5 
to 10 gr. doses three or four times a day. It acts best 
in chronic cases in which only a moderate amount of 
sugar is found, and it also exerts a healing influence upon 
diabetic ulcers. A good fluidextract is on the market. 

Jequirity, Abrus Precatorius or Indian Licorice. This 
is a highly toxic agent, the seeds containing proteid poi- 
sons with properties similar to the toxic agents of snake 
venom. A solution of jequiritol applied to the eye causes 
a purulent inflammation of a most violent character. By 
means o! very weak infusions a moderate inflammation 
is induced that displaces an existing purulent state by 
engrafting a new one. Hence, it is used in pannus and 
chronic trachoma and sometimes in chronic conjunctivitis 
and purulent ophthalmia. 

Merck's jequiritol is a sterile preparation of this agent. 
Begin by instilling into the eye 1 drop daily of "Solution 
No. 1" and increasing by 1 drop daily until the desired 
reaction results. All preparations of jequiritol soon spoil 
after being diluted with water, and should always be 
made up fresh as desired. This is a valuable agent, but 
must be handled with great caution. 



140 JUGLANS ClNERiE. 

Juglans CinEM, Butternut. The inner bark of the 
root was at one time much employed in medicine, an 
aqueous extract being used in doses of from I to 5 gr. 
This remedy is an instance of the therapeutic iconoclasm 
of to-day. The whole effort is to develop new remedies. 
From the very dawn of medical science, good old reme- 
dies, such as juglans, have been produced by nature and 
to-day do just the same things as they did for our fore- 
fathers, only we are forgetting all about them in our 
foolish haste to have the chemist make for us remedies 
seldom the equal of those elaborated by nature. 

In large doses (f.e., 20 to 30 TTL ; ec. tr., 20 n\, ; jug- 
landin, 1 gr) it is cathartic and cholagogue, producing 
large, bilious motions without griping. It is as gentle as 
rhubarb, but much more thorough. The extract is made 
up into pills, and is effective in 5 gr. doses. It is highly 
useful in malarial fevers in cathartic doses. 

In moderate doses (extract, 1 gr; f.e. or ec. tr., 3 to 10 
TTL) it is a mild laxative, valuable in habitual constipation 
and the resulting dyspepsia, and exercising a most excel- 
lent influence upon the liver. 

In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 1-3 to 1 TTt) it is indi- 
cated in skin diseases induced by gastro-intestinal trou- 
bles and faulty elimination, such as eczema, acne, impet- 
igo, pemphigus, and several of the scaly skin diseases. 
Small doses will also relieve occipital headache associ- 
ated with hepatic disturbances. 

Juniperus Communis, Juniper. A diuretic used in 
nephritis, cystitis, and renal hyperemia after subsidence 
of acute symptoms. Use an infusion (1 § berries to 1 
pint boiling water) in doses of a wineglass or the Oleum 
juniperi in 3 TTt doses upon sugar. 

Kali Bichromicum and other kali salts. See under 
Potassium Salts. 



Kalmia LatiFoua. 141 

Kaxmia LatiFoua, Mountain Laurel. This plant pos- 
sesses slight toxic influences due to andrometoxin. It is 
an alterative with mild sedative properties and may, with 
advantage, enter into vegetable alterative mixtures used 
in glandular troubles and as an adjuvant to specific treat- 
ment in secondary syphilis. It has some slight reputa- 
tion in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy. The ho- 
moeopaths value it in painful rheumatic affections and 
facial neuralgia, and use it more or less in "tobacco heart." 

In my own experience, it has acted markedly as a 
sedative, but seems to possess no advantages over vera- 
trum except in nerve pain. As an alterative it cannot be 
pushed to the point usually necessary without unduly 
slowing the pulse. Ec tr., y 2 to 5 TIX ; ®, 3 to 15 Tl\. Be 
careful with large doses. 

Kamala, Mallotus Philippinensis. This is an efficient 
remedy for tapeworm, but it tends to gripe and should 
be administered in combination with carminatives or a 
small dose of opium. (F.e. or ec. tr., 30 to 60 n\, re- 
peated if necessary.) 

Kaounum, Kaolin or China Clay. One of the inscru- 
table acts of the revisers of the U. S. P. was to make 
this native silicate official as an ingredient of "Cataplasma 
kaolina," an official imitation of the proprietary paste of 
kaolin, glycerine, and antiseptics. Following this, in the 
very excellent but plenarily inspired series of articles in 
the Journal of the American Medical Association, all the 
proprietary mud poultices (uninspired and non-canonical) 
are denounced as heretics and deceivers of the elect. As 
a practical matter of fact, no druggist will ever care to 
make up a batch of the official cataplasma in a mortar 
more than once. Furthermore, it cannot be well made 
except by machinery. It needs very little study of the 
ingredients of these "mud poultices" to define their lim- 



142 Kaolin um. 

its in therapeutics. While the literature issued concern- 
ing them is utterly ridiculous in some of its phases, still 
these preparations have a very positive usefulness in 
many conditions not very markedly inflammatory or pain- 
ful. Personally, I object to using heavy clay poultices 
upon the chest in severe diseases like pneumonia. The 
troublesome details of application and removal, as well 
as the weight, distress the patient, and, after they are 
removed, he is very apt to chill. I use a rather homely 
plaster in these cases of chest trouble. Take y 2 % each 
of capsicum and Scotch snuff and 2 § of powdered lo- 
belia seed. Triturate this well together and spread more 
or less thickly (according to patient's age) upon a cloth 
spread with lard or vaseline, and place upon the chest; 
or this powder can be mixed with mustard and hot water, 
or ground flaxseed and boiling water, and applied as a 
wet poultice. These agents have a real medicinal influ- 
ence, whereas the action of clay and glycerine is very 
slight in severe disease. 

Kava-Kava, Piper Methysticum. This agent slows 
the pulse, produces vigorous cardiac contraction, inhibits 
reflex action, is sudorific, and is somewhat anesthetic. 

In large doses it is employed by the natives of the 
South Sea Islands as the main ingredient of a peculiar 
and slightly intoxicating beverage. Very large doses are 
not employed in medicine. 

In moderate doses (i.e. or ec. tr., 5 to 20 TTt ; solid ex- 
tract, 2 to 5 gr.) its influence upon the mucous mem- 
branes of the genito-urinary apparatus makes it highly 
useful in chronic gonorrhea, gleet, chronic catarrh of the 
bladder, and nocturnal enuresis. 

Incidentally, this drug markedly stimulates the appe- 
tite and improves digestion. This fact makes it of pecu- 
liar value in many genito-urinary cases. It is an agent 
worthy of more general employment. 



Kino. 143 

Kino. An astringent to mucous surfaces and useful 
in night sweats, polyuria, leucorrhea, and watery diar- 
rhea characterized by relaxation. U. S. P. tincture in 
doses of 1 teaspoonful. 

Kola, Cola Acuminata, is a heart tonic inducing diure- 
sis and retarding tissue waste, and indicated in depressed 
and enfeebled states of the heart, muscular system, and 
in depressed states of the mind and nervous system. It 
has also been recommended in chronic diarrhea with lack 
of tone. Dose, f.e., 10 to 30 Til. 

KramEria, Rhatany. An astringent, used chiefly in 
diarrhea. Average dose, 15 gr., or f.e., 15 TTL- The U. 
S. P. Trochisci kramerico are a pleasant astringent use- 
ful in relaxed forms of sore throat. 

Lachesis, Vims or Venom of Lance Headed Viper. 
Like all snake venoms, this substance decomposes the 
blood, rendering it more fluid and inducing septic states. 
It is well known that a degree of immunity results from 
doses of attenuated virus, very minute at first and gradu- 
ally increased. The homoeopaths use lachesis very promi- 
nently upon some such basis. They do not claim that this 
agent inhibits micro-organisms, but they do claim that 
it is a remedy in septic intoxication in which pus is not 
a factor or not the main one. They use it in diphtheria, 
peritonitis, erysipelas, and other grave diseases in the 
sixth to two hundredth "potency," and have devoted an 
astonishing amount of study to this peculiar drug. It is 
illustrative of a rather long list of organic poisons em- 
ployed in their practice. We can well omit detailed con- 
sideration of the rest of them. 

So long as we use various forms of serum treatment 
and find success therein, we cannot altogether combat the 
homoeopathic employment of these organic poisons. Per- 



144 Lachssis. 

sonally, I believe they have gotten hold of the fringe of 
a big question which neither school knows much about 
as yet. As we look upon the matter, it certainly does 
appear foolish to contend that infinitely attenuated snake 
venom has any influence when taken into the stomach 
in view of the fact that one can suck the pure virus out of 
a wound and not be harmed thereby. However, they 
claim that there are toxines in an assimilable form in 
their triturations. We cannot deny that, and so the mat- 
ter rests. In view of the fact that many homceopaths use 
attenuations of vaccine virus in tablet triturate or pow- 
dered form and make the claim, with no more substantial 
basis than the "law of similars," that this form of al- 
leged vaccination protects against smallpox, it is high 
time our laboratory experts looked into these matters. 
Personally, with all deference to our homceopathic 
friends, it looks as if they are running their similar prop- 
osition so far into the ground that they will wake up to 
the fact that they have buried it. If lachesis influences 
blood sepsis, and if we can cure tuberculosis by attenu- 
ated tubercular nodules, and cancer by attenuations of its 
own juices ; if the poison of the toad cures epilepsy and 
feeblemindedness; triturated plant lice, toothache; tritu- 
rated bedbug, malaria; triturated ladybug, neuralgia; 
triturated mosquito, hives ; potatobug, gonorrhea ; 
crushed live ants, gout; meconium from the amniotic 
fluid of the colt, chorea; grease in horses, smallpox; 
triturated gonorrheal virus, chronic rheumatism; tritu- 
rated "polecat perfume," whooping cough ; and a long 
list of other abominations, each a "potentized" cure in 
its way, we may just as well go to China for our thera- 
peutics. As a matter of fact, live ants contain formic 
acid, which has some influence in gout and rheumatism, 
and possibly the rest of these agents might, in some 



Lactucarium. 145 

round-about way, slightly influence certain diseases ; but 
it is unworthy of a school of therapeutics to resurrect 
these old Oriental horrors in medical practice. The mod- 
ern school of homoeopaths largely agree with what is 
here said. If lachesis and other organic poisons ever do 
attain a place in scientific therapeutics, it will be by 
sterile attenuations employed hypodermically. 

Lactucarium, Lactuca Virosa. This U. S. P. sub- 
stance is apt to be unreliable, but the tincture (50%), 
when made before changes occur in the drug, is a fairly 
dependable remedy in doses of 10 to 60 TTL. Squibb makes 
an excellent fluidextract of lettuce. It is a nerve sedative 
and mild hypnotic quite useful in functional disturbances. 
In irritable coughs it finds quite a field of usefulness. 
With some women it acts as a galactagogue. 

Lapis Albus, Silico-Fluoride of Calcium. In doses of 
the ix trituration this substance is asserted to be useful 
in goitre and scrofulous sores. 

Lappa, Burdock Root. An alterative used in skin dis- 
eases and valuable in irritation of the urinary apparatus. 
F.e. or ec. tr., 10 to 60 nx. 

LaurocERASUS, Cherry Laurel. This agent is of vary- 
ing strength, depending upon the amount of its contained 
hydrocyanic acid. Therapeutically, either bitter almond 
or peach bark is more dependable, although not so pleas- 
ant. Cherry laurel water is a pleasant adjuvant if care 
is taken not to exceed doses of 20 Tit. For therapeutic 
purposes the mother tincture in 1 or 2 fit doses is prefer- 
able. Spasmodic, tickling cough is quickly relieved by 
this agent, and an irritable stomach is ofttimes soothed 
by small doses taken upon cracked ice. 

Lead. See Plumbum, 



146 Ledum PaIvUSTre. 

Ledum PalustrS, Marsh Tea. This plant and the 
allied Labrador Tea have been long used in medicine for 
a host of rather contradictory conditions. The homoeo- 
paths use small doses of the tincture in rheumatism be- 
ginning in the feet and to antidote the effects of the 
stings of insects. It has no established place in thera- 
peutics. 

Leptandra, Culver's Root. This agent is cholagogue, 
laxative, and alterative, and stimulates the portal circu- 
lation. In malarial and jaundiced conditions it is a very 
superior laxative, but its fluid preparations are so dis- 
agreeable to the taste and so readily precipitate that it is 
usually best to use Leptandrin, either pure or preferably 
in ix trituration ; Merck's leptandrin, 1 to 5 gr. ; or the 
homoeopathic ix in 5 to 30 gr. doses ; solid extract, 3 to 
8gr. 

Leptandra is more markedly tonic than are most of the 
alterative cholagogues. It takes very considerable doses 
to be distinctly purgative. It is a good laxative for chil- 
dren who respond nicely to leptandrin ix. It is in small 
and continued doses that this agent is most useful. In 
jaundiced malarial conditions with indigestion, capsules 
containing leptandrin, quinine, and hydrastis in proper 
doses give most happy results. 

Liuum TiGRiNUM, Tiger Lily. The pollen and bulbs 
of various species of lily have long been known to be 
somewhat toxic. Among the aborigines and in domestic 
practice they have justly been esteemed as useful remedies 
in various uterine conditions, and so much evidence in 
their favor has accumulated that we will here consider 
the most representative agent of the class. 

Where uterine or ovarian engorgement or congestion 
gives rise to reflex neuralgias, headache, or nausea, tiger 
lily is a useful agent. These are chronic conditions, and 



L,INIM3NTUM. 147 

the remedy must be used for several weeks at least. It 
gives results in proper cases combined with adequate local 
attention. The ec. tr. is given in 1 to 5 Tit doses, four 
times a day, for two to four months. The dilutions used 
by the homoeopaths are inadequate in practice, although 
their indications are quite suggestive. The physiologic 
action has never been adequately worked out, so far as 
I can learn. 

Linimentum, Aconiti et Chloroformi N. F., a useful 
but toxic anodyne embrocation. Ammonia, U. S. P., a 
stimulant anodyne. Belladonna, U. S. P., an anodyne. 
Camphorce, or "Camphorated Oil" (2% camphor), ano- 
dyne and rubefacient. Cantharidis (15% in turpentine), 
a counter-irritant to be used with care. Calcis, U. S. P., 
or "Carron Oil," for burns. Chloroformi, U. S. P. 
(30%), anodyne. Iodi, N. F. (i2j^%), discutient. 
Plumbi subacetatis (35%), antiphlogistic. Saponis, U. 
S. P. (6% soap, 4^% camphor), stimulant, rubefacient. 
Saponis mollis, U. S. P., formerly known as "Tincture of 
Green Soap," used in surgery and dermatology. Stil- 
lingia comp. (eclectic; made of ol. stillingia, 1 f 5 ; ol. 
cajeput, y 2 f§; ol. lobelia, 2 f5; alcohol, 2 f§), a power- 
ful stimulant and relaxant used in chest affections, croup, 
sprains, and spasmodic affections. Terebinthince, U. S. 
P., counter-irritant rubefacient. Terebinthince aceticum, 
N. F., "Stokes' or St. John Long's Liniment," antineu- 
ralgic. 

Lippia Mexicana. A remedy of comparatively recent 
introduction, said to be of great value in chronic bron- 
chial cough without secretion and the recurring cough 
incident to every cold following an attack of whooping 
cough. F.e., 10 to 20 Tl\. 

Liquors, Acidi Arsenosi, U. S. P. (1%), average dose, 



148 Liquors. 

3 HX. Ammonii aeetatis, U. S. P. (7%), diaphoretic and 
diuretic, average dose, 4 f3. "Squibbs's Liq. am. acet. 
concentratus" is three times the strength of the U. S. P. 
preparation. Antisepticus, a new U. S. P. preparation of 
aromatic vegetable antiseptics with 2% boric acid, 1-10% 
benzoic acid, and 1-10% thymol; externally, % to full 
strength; internally, 30 T1X to 2 f3. Arseni et hydrargyri 
iodidi, U. S. P. (1% of each salt), average dose, iy 2 Tit ; 
this is known as "Donovan's Solution." Bismuthi, N. F., 
each f3 containing 1 gr. bismuth and ammonium citrate. 
Calcis, 0.14%), U. S. P., lime water. Chlori comp., U. 
S. P., chlorine water, average dose, 1 f3. Cresolis comp., 
U. S. P. (50% cresol), a saponaceous antiseptic and dis- 
infectant, used externally in 1 to 3% solution. Ferri 
chloridi (10% metallic iron), average dose, 1V2 HI. Fe. 
et am. acet. (Basham's Mixture), average dose, 4 f3. 
Ferri subsulphatis (Monsel's Solution), used externally. 
All these iron solutions are from U. S. P., which also 
unwisely lists : Ferri tersulphatis, very liable to be mis- 
taken for the subsulphatis. The tersulphate is irritating 
and less efficient than the former preparation. Formalde- 
hyde, in practice of varying strength, but officially should 
be 37% absolute formaldehyde gas ; use in ^4 to 2% 
solution. Hydrargyri nitratis, U. S. P. (60%), a power- 
ful caustic. Iodi comp. (Lugol's Solution, I. 5% ; K.I., 
10%), average dose, 3 T\[. Magnesii citratis, U. S. P., 
laxative in average dose of 12 fg. Plumbi subacetatis. 
U. S. P. (25%), known as Goulard's Extract, astringent 
and antiseptic; used in making Plumbi subacetatis dilu- 
tus (1%), used externally undiluted. Potassi arsenitis 
(1%), Fowler's Solution; average dose given in U. S. P. 
as 3 TTL ; in practice most physicians give less. Potassi 
citratis, U. S. P. (8n^), average dose, 4 f3. Potassi 



Lithium. 149 

hydroxidi, average dose, 15 TTL- Soda chlorinate? (La- 
barraque's Solution), average dose, 15 Tl\. Sodii arsena- 
tis, U. S. P. (1%), average dose, 3 TTL- The National 
Formulary has a similar title, but this preparation is 
only one-tenth the strength of the U. S. P. preparation. 
Be exceedingly careful not to confound the two. The 
N. F. preparation should be dropped entirely in view of 
the concentrated U. S. P. product. Sodii hydroxidi, U. 
S. P. (5%), "average dose, 15 TTL." This is "caustic 
soda," and its internal use is open to question. If used 
at all, it should be much diluted. Sodii phosphatis comp., 
U. S. P. This is a liquefied sodium phosphate, and con- 
tains traces of sodium nitrate and citric acid. It is a use- 
ful laxative in doses of 2 f3, well diluted. Zinci chloridi, 
U. S. P. (50% by weight), caustic. As a disinfectant, 
use 1 pound to 2 gallons of water. 

Lithium, Lithii Benzoas, antilithic and internal anti- 
septic. Both natural and synthetic preparations are avail- 
able, and are used in doses of 5 to 20 gr. The Bromide 
is used in the same dose as a nerve sedative. The Car- 
bonate in 3 to 10 gr. doses is an antacid diuretic. The 
Citrate in 3 to 10 gr. doses is probably the most valuable 
salt of lithia, used to neutralize or dissolve uric acid and 
as a remedy in rheumatism and gout. It is freely soluble 
in water. The Salicylate in 5 to 20 gr. doses is em- 
ployed in rheumatism. 

The effervescent lithia preparations are to be com- 
mended. Natural lithia water is ofttimes preferable to 
the salts, but the ingestion of large quantities of water 
with the salts overcomes, in a measure, the deficiency of 
the U. S. P. preparations. 

Lobelia, Indian Tobacco. This old-fashioned drug is 
not sufficiently appreciated by the "regular" physicians 



150 LOBEXIA. 

of to-day. In moderate and small doses it is an exceed- 
ingly valuable agent. The fluidextract is a good prep- 
aration, the average dose of which is 8 Til, but a more 
uniform preparation is the ec. tr., which is made from 
the seed. It is equivalent to the fluidextract of the 
seed. The seed contains twice as much lobeline (the 
narcotic principle) as does the herb. They also contain 
a fixed oil. Emetic properties are not so marked in the 
preparations of the seed as in that of the whole plant; 
in consequence, physicians who have used only the U. 
S. P. preparations cannot apprehend the eclectic appre- 
ciation of this drug. I have stated that the average dose 
of the fluidextract is 8 TO,. That is what the U. S. P. 
gives, and it is therefore not to be wondered at that two 
or three experiences with lobelia, used as thus directed, 
is usually all the practician cares for when we remember 
that 10 rrt of this preparation is the emetic dose. The 
maximum dose of ec. tr. is 30 nt. 

In large doses (f.e., 10 Til ; ec. tr., 20 to 30 n\) lobelia 
is emetic and very depressing, with relaxation and a 
feeble pulse. Owing to its depressing respiration in a 
similar manner to tobacco, its use as an emetic is seldom 
justified except in sthenic conditions or in emergency. 

In large medicinal doses not emetic (f.e., 7 or 8 TTL ; 
ec. tr., 10 to 20 TTt) it is useful where there is nerve ten- 
sion and a spasmodic tendency, with flushed face and 
contracted pupils. Thus, it is useful in spasmodic asthma 
during a paroxysm, in puerperal eclampsia, tetanus, the 
spasms of hydrophobia and strychnia poisoning, hysteri- 
cal convulsions, angina pectoris, where the patient is not 
feeble, and in obstetric practice, where a rigid os and too 
great fullness of perineal tissue delay labor. In all these 
conditions judgment must be used, and these large doses 
not be often repeated. From large experience with this 



Lobelia. 151 

drug, I prefer the ec. tr., and find that capsicum in full 
doses administered with it overcomes depression. That 
was a combination of the old-time herb doctor, but it was 
a good one. 

In moderate doses (f.e., 1 to 3 TTt ; ec. tr., 2 to 5 TTL, 
if at long interval; f.e., 1 TTt, or ec. tr., 2 TTt or less, if 
given frequently) lobelia is indicated in oppressed breath- 
ing and in respiratory troubles of an irritating character. 
In spasmodic croup the dose may be gradually run up 
to the point of slight nausea, since children tolerate the 
drug well. In whooping cough and spasmodic coughs 
generally it is useful. In some cases of congestion of the 
lungs it is very effective. In many conditions of disease 
its use to relax the muscles is effective, and this is par- 
ticularly true in sthenic fevers and some forms of ma- 
laria. 

In small doses (f.e., ]/ 2 to 1 TTt ; ec. tr., 1 to 2 TTt) lo- 
belia, like narcotic agents generally, has a transient stim- 
ulating effect upon the nervous system and augments the 
secretions. Its influence is directed largely to the sym- 
pathetic nervous system, and thus promotes secretion and 
nutrition. Because of this, alterative properties have been 
attributed to it, but these effects are too transient to class 
it as a true alterative. In these small doses it appears 
to promote digestion when there is a tendency to colic, 
and is a useful remedy with children. The homoeopaths 
use it in dyspnea with good effect and in gastric disturb- 
ances caused by drunkenness. They also use the tincture 
of Lobelia syphilitica in cases of influenza with Eustachian 
catarrh and coryza. In the nervous prostration of influ- 
enza they use the Purple lobelia. The homoeopathic tinc- 
tures, in doses of 1 or 2 n\, are of some degree of utility 
in the indications noted, but the doses must be frequently 
repeated, and it must be remembered that febrile states 



152 LyYCOPODIUM. 

are not met by these small doses. They relieve symptoms, 
and that is about all they do. These tinctures are much 
weaker than the f.e. or ec. tr. 

Lycopodium, Club Moss. The sporules are used as a 
dusting powder in regular medicine. In sectarian prac- 
tice, lycopodium is esteemed as a valuable remedy. As a 
matter of fact, the sporules are inert when ingested in 
their natural state, but when triturated or comminuted 
47% of the resulting paste is a bland oil with properties 
said to resemble santal-wood oil therapeutically. In addi- 
tion to this oil, there are volatile bases which have not 
been adequately investigated, but presumably have an 
influence in stimulating tissue metabolism. They are irri- 
tants, but are carminative when well diluted. Hence, 
although the sectarians are derided for using this agent 
internally, a little thought will show that the alcoholic 
tincture and the low triturations contain quite active sub- 
stances. It is with regret that I cannot supply full physio- 
logic data, but chemically the active bases are akin to 
methylamine and probably are partially combined with 
phosphoric anhydride, and to work out the physiologic 
action would be a complex proposition. 

In large doses (ec. tr., 10 to 15 TTt) lycopodium is of 
value in gonorrhea after the subsidence of acute symp- 
toms, and in gleet. Give well diluted in water and 
glycerine. 

In small doses (ec. tr., y 2 to 2 ITt ; ©, 1 to 4 tt\,) it is 
adapted to urinary and digestive troubles where the uric 
acid diathesis and inactive liver and glandular functions 
are a factor. It is a gastric sedative, relieving pyrosis and 
flatulence. Cystic catarrh and lithemia are markedly re- 
lieved by this agent. 

In homceopathic practice minute doses of this drug are 
used symptomatically in a host of chronic conditions due 



Lycopus Virginica. 153 

to defective metabolism. It is a drug they value highly 
and use in high dilution. The present author pleads igno- 
rance in the use of the dilutions, but has found small 
doses of the ec. tr. a most satisfactory drug, and uses it 
almost daily. The sectarian literature concerning this 
drug is well worth careful study. 

Lycopus Virginica, Bugleweed. A remedy used 
largely by the eclectics. The ec. tr. is made from the 
green herb, and is very active. The maximum dose is 
20 TTL- 

In diseases of the heart, in moderate to full doses, it 
slows the pulse and relieves irritability and tumultuous 
action. It is recommended in hypertrophy and dilatation, 
and has been suggested in exophthalmic goitre. It is 
given to advantage in palpitation. 

In respiratory diseases it is asserted to be of value in 
hemoptysis and incipient phthisis and in irritable coughs. 
It is not definitely ascertained that it has any direct action 
upon the lung tissue, but by its action in controlling the 
circulation and because of a mild nerve sedative influ- 
ence it is a remedy of secondary importance in this con- 
nection. In my own experience, small doses are not 
effective. 

Macrotys. See Cimicifuga. 

Magnesium, Borocitrate. Antilithic and antiseptic in 
doses of 15 to 30 gr. Magnesii carbonas, U. S. P., in 
large doses is laxative (Si), or in small doses of 10 to 
20 gr. is antacid, quite agreeable in action. These doses, 
once an hour until a laxative effect is produced, consti- 
tute an excellent treatment in sick headache and nausea 
due to acidity. The granular effervescent citrate is well 
tolerated by an irritable stomach, and is preferable for 
a purely laxative effect. The glycerophosphate, in 3 to 



154 Magnesium. 

6 gr. doses, is an excellent nerve tonic, but its solutions 
do not keep well. The hypophosphite in slightly larger 
doses is also useful in nervous debility. Care should be 
taken in combining it, since it explodes in contact with 
oxidizing agents. The muriate is employed in homoeo- 
pathic practice in liver diseases with constipation char- 
acterized by sparse and knotty stools. Magnesii oxidum, 
V, S. P., is the light, calcined magnesia, and acts simi- 
larly (but in somewhat less dose) to the carbonate. It 
is a valuable alkali to neutralize concentrated acids when 
taken in poisonous doses. Average dose, 30 gr. Mag- 
nesii oxidum ponderosum, U. S. P., is the heavy, calcined 
magnesia. Action and dose similar to the light. The 
phosphate is given in small doses dissolved in hot water, 
in homoeopathic practice, in neuralgic pains relieved by 
warmth and in enteralgia and flatulent colic. Magnesii 
sulphas, U. S. P., or "Epsom Salt," is a cathartic of great 
value in doses of 4 to 6 3. If given in hot solution a less 
quantity suffices. It should always be well diluted. Doses 
of 20 to 30 gr. are aperient. This agent is of supreme 
value in abdominal surgery, since it does not cause active 
peristalsis. It is of value in lead poisoning. Meltzer 
and Auer assert that 1^2 to 2 fo of a 25% solution in- 
jected into the subarachnoidal space of the spinal cord 
produces motor paralysis and anesthesia in the portion 
of the body below the site of injection. The anesthesia 
comes on within four hours, and continues for several 
hours. The heart is not affected, although respiration is 
slowed. Intravenous injections are not so efficient. This 
old drug is coming to be recognized as a remarkable 
agent, and is being exploited in a number of new direc- 
tions. The homoeopaths use small doses of the pure salt 
or the ix trituration in diabetes and in conditions of the 
skin giving rise to warts. The effervescent salt is offi- 



Mai/tum. 155 

cial. The sulphite is a valuable intestinal antiseptic, less 
disagreeable in taste than sodium sulphite. Dose, 5 to 

Mai/tum, Malt, is now official. It is diastasic, tonic, 
nutrient, and (in the form of Hxtr actum malti, U. S. P.) 
an excellent vehicle for disagreeable drugs. The so- 
called malt tonics made by brewers differ little from the 
better grades of beer, ale, and , porter. Several drug 
houses sell liquid malt preparations rich in diastase and 
containing very little alcohol. 

Manganese, Acetate. Employed homceopathically in 
inflammation of the bones and joints and in syphilis. The 
carbonate is tonic in doses of 5 to 20 gr., while the chloride 
is used, in half this dose, as a tonic alterative. The 
citrate, in doses of 1 to 3 gr., is used in chlorosis. Man- 
gam dioxidum precipitatum, U. S. P., is alterative and 
emmenagogue, and is given in pill form in doses of 2 to 
5 gr. The glycerophosphate is a valuable nerve tonic in 
doses of 3 to 6 gr. Like glycerophosphates generally, its 
solution does not keep well. Squibb's peptonized man- 
ganese is a mild remedy useful in chlorosis in doses of 
10 to 20 gr. Mangani hypophosphis, U. S. P., is a nerve 
tonic, and is recommended in tuberculosis. Give in doses 
of 1 to 5 gr. Mangani sulphas, U. S. P., alterative, tonic, 
and cholagogue. Average dose, 4 gr. Externally, in 10 
to 20% ointment, in stiff joints from gout and rheuma- 
tism. 

Manna, Fraxinns Ornus. A mild purgative given m 
doses of 1 to 5 3. Mannite, or manna sugar, is used in 
diabetes in place of cane-sugar, and as a laxative for 
children. Dose, 6 to 8 5 for adults. 

Marrubium, Hoarhound. A mild expectorant used 
principally in the form of a syrup. Macerate an ounce 



156 Mass. 

of the dried herb for three hours in ^2 pint of boiling- 
water, strain, and add water sufficient to make y 2 pint in- 
fusion ; add 1 pound of sugar. This makes an agreeable 
syrup, suitable as a vehicle for any indicated active ex- 
pectorant. 

Mass. There are two U. S. P. preparations designated 
by this title, viz., Massa ferri carbonatis, or "Vallet's 
Mass," and given in doses of 2 to 5 gr., and Massa 
hydrargyria or "Blue Mass," the average dose being 4 gr. 

Matico, Piper Angustifolium. Intestinal astringent 
and aromatic. Used also in cystitis and gonorrhea. Dose, 
i.e., 1 f3. 

Matricaria. See Chamomilla. 

Meulotus, Yellow Melilot, or Sweet Clover. This is 
a homoeopathic remedy used for congestions and hemor- 
rhages, in the "lower potencies," and should not be con- 
founded with Mallotus or Kameela. 

Mentha Viridis, Spearmint. Carminative and altera- 
tive. Spearmint is official, whereas peppermint is not, 
except in the oil and the spirit made from the oil. Spear- 
mint tea is really of considerable service in the treatment 
of infantile colic and in the suppression of urine in chil- 
dren. 

Menthol. Used externally as an analgesic, anesthetic, 
and antipruritic. It may be used full strength upon the 
unbroken skin. For tampons or use in contact with mu- 
cous membranes, use 1 part in 5 to 10 parts of oil or 
unguent. Its average dose internally is 1 gr., but other 
agents serve its indications much better. It is carmina- 
tive and antispasmodic. 

Mercury. The official U. S. P. title for mercury is 
Hydrargyrum. The homoeopaths call it Mercurius, and 



Mercury. 157 

they have the better title. We usually abbreviate it to 
"Hydrarg.," or even to "Hydr." A great many drugs 
have Hydr. and conflict occurs, as witness — hydras- 
tin, hydrangea, hydrated salts, hydriodic acid, hydrobro- 
mates, and hydrochlorates, hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen, 
hydrous wool fat, and a long list of synthetic chemicals. 
Acetate, antisyphilitic in doses of 1-10 to ]/ 2 gr. Am- 
moniated, used in ointments, 1 to 10%, as a parasiticide. 
Hydrargyri chloridum corrosivum, U. S. P., antiseptic, 
alterative, and antisyphilitic. Average dose, 1-20 gr. In 
small doses a tonic (1-100 gr). Hypodermically used by 
dissolving i l / 2 gr. and 15 gr. of sodium chloride in 25 io 
of water and using from }4 to 1 syringeful at a dose. 
For surgical antiseptic purposes, in solution 1 15000 to 
1 :iooo. In homoeopathic practice, the 3X is used with 
success in rectal tenesmus. Their ophthalmologists use 
a 1 :iooo solution, injected hypodermically under the con- 
junctiva, in choroiditis with progressive myopia and ach- 
ing pain. Hydrargyri chloridum mite, U. S. P. The 
tendency now is to use calomel in fractional doses (1-10 
gr. triturates), hourly or half hourly, to effect. Large 
doses are cholagogue, and small ones at long intervals 
alterative. Quite apt to salivate. A very valuable in- 
testinal antiseptic. The homoeopaths call it Mercurius 
dulcis. Their ix (1-10 gr.) tablet triturates are well 
made and are very active. They use the 3X in catarrhal 
inflammations of the ear and Eustachian tubes, and in 
diarrhea with soreness of the anus. Fumigations of calo- 
mel are of great value in membranous croup. Hydrargy- 
rum cum creta, U. S. P. (38%), an intestinal antiseptic, 
cholagogue, and antisyphilitic. Average dose, 4 gr. After 
saturation with the protoiodide this is a good form of 
mercury for prolonged administration in syphilis. Cya- 
nide, alterative and antiseptic, in use in 1 : 10,000 to 1 :2000 



158 Mercury. 

in solution externally, and in 1-10 gr. doses internally. 
It is similar in action to the bichloride, but is less irri- 
tating. Both the regular and homoeopathic profession use 
it in malignant cases of diphtheria, but very small doses 
should be used. The 3X trituration serves well. Hy- 
drargyri iodum flavum, U. S. P., or Protoiodide, is used 
principally in syphilis in the average dose of 1-5 gr. Two 
things should be remembered with reference to this drug : 
when purgative effects are produced, it should be con- 
servatively employed, and, as its dose is four times that 
of the biniodide, it should never be combined with soluble 
iodides, which convert it into the biniodide. The homoeo- 
paths use 1 -10 gr. doses when there is a heavy yellow 
coating upon the tongue, and 1-100 gr. doses (2x) in 
throat affections with swollen glands. Hydrargyri io- 
didum rubrum, U. S. P., or Biniodide. Used in obsti- 
nate cases of syphilis in an average dose of 1-20 gr. 
Highly toxic. The 2x and 3X are of marked value in 
ulcerated sore throat and diphtheria. Massa hydrargyri, 
U. S. P., or Blue Mass (33%), is used principally as a 
purgative. Average dose, 4 gr., usually in pill form. 
Oxide (Black), or Hahnemann's soluble mercury, is not 
soluble in water or alcohol, and decomposes upon expo- 
sure. Dose, }i to 2 gr., but is unreliable. Hydrargyri 
oxidum Havum, U. S. P., is used externally in 10% oint- 
ment in chancres, indolent ulcers, ringworm, and for skin 
parasites, and in ^ to 1% ointment in ophthalmia. Hy- 
drargyri oxidum rubrum, U. S. P., has the same uses and 
in the same strength. Subsulphate is the yellow sulphate 
or turpeth mineral, and is peculiar in that it possesses 
emetic properties that render it valuable in croup in doses 
of Y\ gr., repeated at intervals. The adult emetic dose is 
2 to 5 gr. The ix or 2x is valued in cases of dyspnea 
with rapid respiration and burning in the chest and in 



Mercury. 159 

hydrothorax. Mercurius vivus is the homoeopathic prepa- 
ration of metallic mercury. The globules are in a very 
much finer state of subdivision than they are in blue 
mass or mercury with chalk, the excipient being milk 
sugar. Mercurius vivus is really a very fine pharmaceutic, 
and, in the ix trituration, is very useful in syphilis and 
to take the place of blue mass. Ten grains is a full dose 
for an adult, and represents 1 gr. of minutely commi- 
nuted mercury. The higher triturations are mildly altera- 
tive, but I believe the homoeopaths vastly overdo the ad- 
ministration of mercury in a host of' chronic conditions. 

Mercurial inunctions are so valuable as to justify a 
separate paragraph. In my hands, the U. S. P. Ungu- 
entum hydrargyri has served admirably, but it is impor- 
tant that it be well made and not rancid. Squibb makes 
it up in suitable form, departing slightly from U. S. P. 
directions. The oleates of mercury are not sufficiently 
stable to be relied upon. 

In employing homoeopathic preparations of insoluble 
mercury, such as calomel or metallic mercury, it must be 
remembered that they triturate such substances for many 
hours by means of electrically operated apparatus, and, 
grain for grain, the actual drug incorporated is much 
more active than in similar U. S. P. products. The ec- 
lectics make very little use of mercury in any form. It 
is a drug whose action does not differ in large or small 
dose except in degree. The recent tendency in the treat- 
ment of syphilis has been to use it to saturation, and then 
maintain the effect with small doses. It is proper to say, 
however, that mercury is a tonic alterative in small doses, 
and its use for short periods in sore throat and other 
acute conditions is to be highly commended. It is sur- 
prising how quickly many intractable cases of disease 
yield to small doses of the bichloride or biniodide and old, 



160 Methyi/thionin^. 

obscure chronic cases to mercurial inunctions. "When 
in doubt give mercury" need not apply exclusively to 
syphilis. 

Methylthionim Hydrochloridum is what the U. S. 
P. calls Methylene Blue. Tetramethyl-thionine hydro- 
chlorate is the true chemical name, and the matter is men- 
tioned here as a protest against a whole tribe of hybrid 
synthetic nomenclature in the eighth revision. 

In large doses, 2 to 6 gr. in capsules, it is an antiseptic 
eliminated chiefly by the kidneys, and hence is of value in 
gonorrhea, cystitis, nephritis, diabetes, and pyelitis. 

In small doses, 1-10 to J / 2 gr., it has some reputation 
in neuralgias and neurasthenia with a septic or malarial 
etiology. 

MezerEum, Spurge Olive. Rubefacient and epispastic, 
used as a stimulant to foul ulcers in the form of oint- 
ment. The fluidextract is occasionally used in doses of 
5 to 15 TIX, well diluted, as an alterative, but it is apt to 
give rise to very disagreeable symptoms. The ® made 
from the fresh bark is of utility in doses of 1 or 2 TTL in 
eczema, shingles, and skin diseases characterized by in- 
tense itching, but even that dose must be watched and a 
smaller dose given if the drug is long continued. 

Mistletoe, Viscum Album. Preparations made from 
the green plant are active, and are dangerously toxic in 
very large dose, causing convulsions. 

In large doses (ec. tr., 5 to 10 TTL ; ©, 30 to 60 TTt) it is 
oxytocic, causing intermittent uterine contractions and 
not markedly influencing the cervix. In labor with weak 
contractions it is adapted, if, indeed, any drug of this 
class should be used. In such conditions it is preferable 
to ergot. Capable authorities have commended it in car- 
diac hypertrophy with valvular insufficiency. 



MlTCHELLA RIPENS. l6l 

In small doses (<ee. tr., i to 2 TTl. ; ®, 5 to 10 lTt) it is 
indicated in cerebral congestion occurring in epilepsy, 
hysteria, and other nervous diseases, and in the paroxysms 
of tearing pain occurring in neuralgic and rheumatic com- 
plaints, and in spinal pains due to uterine disease. It is 
a useful agent, but its toxicity should be ever kept in 
mind. 

MitchELLA RepEns, Partridge Berry, Squaw Vine. 
Another uterine regulator used generally entirely out of 
its indications. Mitchella is indicated in the last three 
months of pregnancy, in gradually increasing doses, up to 
time of labor. Its value is most positive, and it is more 
happy in its effects in relieving reflex irritation and main- 
taining the action of the whole digestive tract during this 
trying period than is any other drug of its class. Ec. tr. 
or a good fluidextract, 10 to 60 TTL. 

Morphina. See Opium. 

Moschus, Musk. Employed usually in the form of a 
tincture, in doses of 1 f3, costing about 35 cents per dose 
for a good article. It is a stimulant antispasmodic of 
doubtful utility. A 3X trituration smells strong enough 
and costs 25 cents per ounce, or 2x, 80 cents. Since the 
homoeopaths think more highly of the remedy than we 
do, it is probable that they get better results with their 
small doses of this relic of antiquity than we get from 
our large doses. It is strange that asafetida, another 
odoriferous drug, should have a similar action as an 
antispasmodic. In justice, however, it must be said that 
one or two large doses of musk are sometimes of value 
in profound prostration. The 2x is valued in spasmodic 
cough and difficult respiration, but other remedies are so 
much more sure that musk need rarely be employed. 

"Mullein Oil" (genuine) is not strictly an oil, but 



1 62 Muscarine. 

is a juice extracted from mullein blossoms by compres- 
sion, after several days' exposure to the sun in a glass 
jar. It has positive value, used full strength, in the ear 
in uncomplicated deafness, simple catarrhal earache, and 
ulcerated ears. Many preparations are unreliable. 

Muscarine. See Agaricus. 

Myrica, Bayberry Bark. A stimulant to all mucous 
surfaces, useful in atonic conditions with increased secre- 
tion. 

In large doses an emetic, and in moderate doses is 
somewhat stimulant, but should not be used in acute affec- 
tions. This bark is worthless unless used in a recent 
state. Use 8 § of the recent bark of the root to 16 f§ of 
70% alcohol in making a tincture. Of this, 20 to 30 TCi 
is a full dose. Employed in atonic diarrhea and dysen- 
tery. 

In small doses (tincture, as above, 5 n\ ; ®, 10 TrjJ it 
is useful in atony of the cutaneous vessels, atonic leucor- 
rhea, and some cases of jaundice. 

Locally, it is an excellent wash for tender and spongy 
gums, the sore throat of scarlet fever, and old ulcers. 

Myristica, Nutmeg. Aromatic and carminative. Aver- 
age dose, yy 2 gr. 

Myrrha, Myrrh. This agent is stimulant, expector- 
ant, and emmenagogue, but is seldom employed except in 
combination with other agents. As an expectorant, its 
combination with squill is highly useful in chronic bron- 
chitis. Senega and wild cherry cooperate well with it. 
In indigestion it is combined with gentian, capsicum, and 
other drugs, and in amenorrhea with iron and aloes. U. 
S. P. tincture, 5 to 30 111- 

Myrtus Communis, Myrtle. The and lower dilu- 
tions are employed in the chest pains of consumptives. 



Naphthalenum. 163 

A more active agent is Myrtus cheken, the fluidextract 
being used in considerable dose (f3i) in winter cough 
and purulent bronchitis. Personally, I do not believe 
small doses or dilutions of either one of these drugs 
would be effective. They have not become established in 
regular medicine. 

NaphThalEnum, Naphthalene. Used internally in 2 
gr. doses as an intestinal antiseptic, and in 15 gr. doses, 
followed by castor oil, as an anthelmintic. In my judg- 
ment, bismuth beta-naphtholate or salol are superior to 
it for internal administration. Its safety in anthelmintic 
doses is certainly open to question, and it should not be 
given to children, although small doses (ix to 2x) are 
asserted to be of value in whooping cough. A 5% oint- 
ment is used in parasitic skin diseases. 

Natrum Salts. See Sodium Salts. 

Nickel Bromide:. Nerve sedative and hypnotic in 
doses of 2 to 8 gr. Metallic nickel in 2x and 3X tritura- 
tion is asserted to be of benefit in periodic nervous sick 
headaches, usually associated with asthenopia and weak 
digestion. 

NicoTiana Tabacum, Tobacco. This agent is too ir- 
regular in action to be a safe internal remedy. Squibb's 
Nicotine is a nerve sedative and relaxant of value in 
strychnine poisoning in doses of 1-64 to 1-20 gr. once or 
twice a day in solution. One dram of Scotch snuff to 
1 § of vaseline is useful locally in muscular rigidity, in- 
carcerated hernia, and bronchial spasm. 

Nitroglycerine, Glonoin. This agent is official as 
Spiritus glycerylis nitratis (1%). The previous edition 
called it "Glonoin," as do the homoeopaths, who gave it 
practical introduction into therapeutics. Physicians ac- 



164 Nitroglycerins. 

customed to tablets of this volatile agent should be care- 
ful with the always active spirit. Tablets should not be 
depended upon unless very recently made, but coated pills 
retain it fairly well. I dilute the spirit with 9 parts of 
glycerine and have it ready for instant use hypodermi- 
cally or by the mouth, and if this solution happens to be 
spilled it does not volatilize or the alcohol evaporate and 
an explosive residue remain. Tolerance to nitroglycerine 
is readily established, and hence the dose must be run 
up gradually. Merck's adonidin adequately takes its place 
when continuous administration establishes tolerance to 
glonoin. 

In large doses (1 or 2 Til U. S. P. spirit) it is an anti- 
spasmodic, vaso-dilating heart stimulant of primary im- 
portance in angina pectoris, acute cerebral anemia, spas- 
modic asthma, poisoning by carburetted hydrogen, illu- 
minating gas, and opium poisoning with uremic symp- 
toms. 

In moderate doses (% to y 2 nt of spirit) it relieves 
markedly anemic headaches, many forms of heart lesions, 
and some functional disturbances, and in albuminuria is 
of considerable service. 

In small doses (third or fourth dilution) it is depended 
upon by homoeopathic physicians in congestive headaches 
and the pulsating headache of persons working in great 
heat or under artificial light. It is to be remembered 
that the © is ten times the strength of the U. S. P. spirit, 
which corresponds to a ix dilution. The small dose is 
not always to be depended upon, but has distinct utility 
in some cases. 

Nux Vomica. For the discussion of this important 
drug in detail see larger text-book. 

In large doses (2 to 5 gr. ; extract, y 2 gr. ; f.e., 4 1TL ; 
U. S. P. tincture, 20 nt) it is a powerful respiratory and 



Nux Vomica. 165 

nerve stimulant, useful in poisoning by narcotics, acute 
heart failure, marked nervous prostration, many cases of 
subnormal temperature, flaccid paralyses without central 
irritation, surgical shock, and in the treatment of dipso- 
mania. 

Strychnine or its sulphate is frequently to be preferred 
to nux vomica in these conditions, since it is quicker in 
action and suitable for hypodermic injection without elab- 
orate preparation of sterile solutions. Dose, 1-30 to 1-15 

gr. 

In moderate doses ( 1 to 2 gr. ; extract, J^ to %. gr. ; 
f.e., 1 to iy 2 Til ; tr., 6 to 10 tt| ; strychnine, 1-60 to 1-40 
gr.) it is indicated in many conditions demanding a stimu- 
lant tonic to the nervous and circulatory systems in con- 
valescence, sexual exhaustion, and impotence, and in acute 
digestive disturbances. 

In small doses (tr., 1 to 3 Til, or the first dilution) it is 
adapted to two classes of cases. The first class is the 
patient with a sallow skin, especially around the mouth, 
a dead-looking more or less yellow conjunctiva, pasty yel- 
low coat upon the tongue, abdominal fulness and torpor, 
and cramp at times in the umbilical region. The second 
class is the patient who is thin, nervous, and irritable, 
living under a strain, with business cares and long hours, 
uses tobacco and stimulants, eats heavy food, loses sleep, 
and develops nervous dyspepsia, portal congestion, and 
more or less hypersensitiveness. The 2x tablet triturates 
act well in these cases. Small doses of nux vomica are 
highly useful, but minute doses of strychnine do not do 
so well, since its action is largely expended upon the 
spinal cord and not upon the viscera. 

CEnanths Crocata, Water Dropwort, is allied to our 
American five-leaved water hemlock (a species of OEnan- 
the). The true water hemlock is cicuta virosa (q. v.). 



i66 Oils. 

All these plants have similar toxic influences and have 
no established place in medicine, although used somewhat 
in sectarian practice. 

Oils, Amygdala Amara, is active owing to contained 
hydrocyanic acid. Dose, y 2 TT[. Amygdala dulcis, or the 
U. S. P. "Amygdala expressum," as made from either 
sweet or bitter almonds, is laxative, emollient, and nu- 
trient. Anisi, carminative and antiseptic. Average dose, 
3 nx. Benzaldehyde is a synthetic substance resembling 
in taste the bitter almond, but is not poisonous. Betida, 
or sweet birch, has properties similar to wintergreen. 
Average dose, 15 TTt. Cadinum, or oil of juniper tar, 
used externally in chronic skin diseases. Its internal use 
is not to be commended. Cajuput. See under its own 
heading. Cari, carminative in 1 to 5 TTt doses. Oleum 
carbolatum, N. P. (5%), in cottonseed oil. Caryophylli, 
antiseptic in 3 n\ doses. Locally, in carious teeth. Cheno- 
podii, anthelmintic. Average dose, 3 Til. 01. Cinnamomi, 
U. S. P., is oil of cassia, valuable as a flavor but of little 
use therapeutically. See Cinnamomum Zeylanicum. Co- 
paiba, employed in genito-urinary diseases. Average 
dose, 8 n\. See Copaiba. Brigerohtis. See Erigeron. 
Eucalypti. See Eucalyptus. Faniculi, carminative and 
corrigent in 1 to 5 TTt doses. Gaidtheria. See Gaultheria. 
Hedeoma, emmenagogue and carminative. Average dose, 

3 TTL. Juniperi. See Juniperus. Lavandula floriim, 
rarely used internally as a stimulant in 1 to 5 TTt doses. 
Mentha piperita. See Peppermint. Mentha viridis, car- 
minative, antiseptic, and alterative. Average dose, 3 TTt. 
Morrhua, alterative, tonic, and nutrient. Average dose, 

4 fo. Oliva is usually given in 1 f§ doses, but in hepatic 
colic in 3 to 6 times this amount. In the process of 
digestion it is thought to form a fat-free soap which, 
when absorbed, is solvent to gall-stones. Picis liquida, 



Oils. 167 

Used externally in skin diseases. Ricini, cathartic in 4 to 
8 f3 doses. Sabince, emmenagogue. Average dose, 1 TTL 
in pill or capsule. Santali, genito-urinary antiseptic. 
Average dose, 8 TTL in capsule or emulsion. Sinapis vola- 
tile, used as an ingredient of stimulating external appli- 
cations. There is no occasion whatever to employ it in- 
ternally, though its average dose is given as y% TTL, diluted. 
Terebinthince rectificatum is the only form of turpentine 
that should be used internally. Used principally in U. S. 
P. Emulsum olei terebinthince (15%). Average dose, 
1 fo as a diuretic and antiseptic in retention of urine, 
dysentery, etc. Used in doses four to six times this size 
it is given in phosphorus poisoning and to expel tape- 
worm. Thymi, carminative, antiseptic, and diffusible 
stimulant. Average dose, 3 TTL. This agent has recently 
been suggested for whooping cough. Externally, it is 
rubefacient and antipruritic. Tiglii, a drastic cathartic, 
to be used only with the greatest of care, in doses of 1 
or, occasionally, 2 TTL. Powerfully rubefacient externally. 

OivEATSS. These ointments have the advantage of 
ready absorption, but the disadvantage of not keeping 
very well. They should be purchased in small quantities 
of reputable makers, and kept well protected. 

Aconitine (Squibb) (2%). To be used only upon the 
unbroken surface of the skin. An anodyne in neuralgia 
and painful joints. Atrophia, U. S. P. (2%), used ex- 
ternally, principally in whooping cough. Cocaince, U. S. 
P. (5%), a local anesthetic. Hydrargyri, U. S. P. (25% 
yellow mercuric oxide), used in scrofulous and syphilitic 
inflammations. Quinince, U. S. P. (25%), antiperiodic 
inunction. Veratrince, U. S. P. (2%), from veratrine al- 
kaloid derived from the seed of Asagraea officinalis, a 
toxic cardiac depressant. Rubefacient and anodyne, of 
use in sprains and scrofulous joints, with care. 



168 Opium. 

Opium. This drug is so ably treated in the writings 
of all schools of medicine and is so well known that little 
need be said here. Its preparations are so numerous that 
we will not detail them. 

The employment of the alkaloids derived from opium 
is more marked by abuse than by use, both in and outside 
of the medical profession, and the hypodermic syringe has 
become a public menace. This little book has been writ- 
ten in the intervals between patients, during office hours, 
and the notes were stained by drugs and soiled by wet 
fingers many a time, but no "dope" has left its stain there, 
and the too ready "hypo." of the laboratory and library 
therapeutist has never been a paperweight or bookmark 
during its preparation. In sixteen years' fairly active 
practice, the present author has not given fifty hypodermic 
injections of morphine aside from surgical cases and 
emergency work. Any physician who takes the trouble 
to learn the therapeutics of pain need use morphine and 
enslaving drugs very little indeed, but the therapeutic 
nihilist and the blind searcher for mere symptoms and 
the would-be surgeon who makes a bluff at therapeutics 
until he can make surgery pay, all incline to use too 
much morphine, because they really do not know what 
else to do. On the other hand, opium itself is a most 
useful drug in a host of cases, and we need to learn how 
to handle it in large and small doses as intelligently as we 
do digitalis, ergot, or ipecac, and not become imbued with 
the idea that its alkaloids are alone of use. When we do 
use the alkaloids, it is well to remember that a hypodermic 
tablet dissolved in a tablespoonful of hot water and given 
by mouth is usually better practice than the hypodermic 
injection of the same thing; that codeine is vastly safer 
than heroin or dionin and usually more effective; that 
apomorphine should never be given to children under any 
circumstances ; that large doses should not be given to a 



Opium. 169 

nursing mother; that very young babes should rarely 
have these alkaloids in any dose ; that we should be care- 
ful and not obscure important symptoms necessary to 
recognize in time to save life, since these alkaloids are 
very liable to obscure them; that they have well-marked 
contraindications, and that a patient with flushed face, 
contracted pupils, a dry and hot skin, a coated tongue and 
inactive excretion seldom tolerates them in large dose ; 
that they have no place in cough mixtures for young 
children ; that drug habits are readily formed, and that 
we have no right to give these agents to others in con- 
ditions in which we would not administer them to our 
own dear and near ones. 

Opium in large doses (i^> to 2 gr. ; tr., 10 to 20 TTt ; 
Dover's Powder, 15 gr.) is indicated in spasmodic pain 
of bowels, bladder, uterus, common bile duct, ureters, and 
urethra when pain is not too acute, or to follow an initial 
dose of morphine when acute; in cholera morbus, lau- 
danum, or opium per rectum ; peritonitis, until sharp pain 
is relieved; to check excessive secretion in diarrhea, and 
in many surgical conditions. When sleeplessness is due 
to pain, opium in grain doses is indicated, and 2 gr. doses 
may frequently be required. 

Morphine in large doses (% gr. hypodermically or by 
mouth, as indicated by conditions or urgency) is indicated 
in wakefulness, with excessive muscular action in acute 
spasmodic diseases, such as chorea and epidemic cerebro- 
spinal meningitis. In traumatic tetanus it should be in- 
jected into the muscles. Spasmodic asthma demands 
fairly large doses at times, as do violent cramps. Acute 
neuralgic and sciatic pain and the pain and shock of 
traumatism demand full doses, often hypodermically. 
Puerperal convulsions may demand doses as high as Yz gr. 

Opium in moderate doses (y 2 to 1 gr. ; tr., 5 to 10 TIX ; 



i^o Opium. 

Dover's Powder, 5 to 8 gr.) is indicated in many cases 
of diarrhea and for a diaphoretic effect. The moderate 
dose, especially of Dover's Powder, is indicated. Moder- 
ate doses in suppositories are applicable in painful pelvic, 
rectal, and genito-urinary troubles. 

Morphine in moderate doses (% gr.) is applicable in 
the less acute indications noted under large doses, and 
in cardiac dyspnea and angina pectoris, as well as in rectal 
tenesmus and threatened miscarriage. 

Opium in small doses (% to 1-3 gr. ; tr., 2 to 4 TTt) is 
a stimulant to the nervous system and tends to prevent 
exhaustion, and is quite useful in typhoid fever with nerv- 
ous exhaustion. Give by rectum. Similarly used in 
pneumonia and pleurisy, it frequently does good. There 
are a good many cases of spasmodic contraction of the 
intestines that result in constipation. Small doses of 
opium following oil or a saline relieve promptly. 

Morphine in small doses (1-20 gr.) is of value in reflex 
vomiting and in dry, spasmodic cough. Codeine is fre- 
quently to be preferred in cough, but in doses of % gr. 
or more. These small doses of morphine hypodermically 
are of value in melancholia marked by loss of appetite 
and muscular weakness. 

Opium in minute doses, as employed in the 3X by 
homoeopaths, is indicated in sluggish conditions of the 
nervous system with stupid sleep, stertorous breathing, 
relaxed jaw, and dark, suffused face. There is no doubt 
that the stimulating effects of opium could be secured by 
these minute doses if very frequently repeated, but it im- 
presses me that such symptoms involve a study of the 
underlying pathology and the use of very much more 
direct remedies to meet the state of the case. (Do not 
forget the difference between the drop and minim of Tr. 
Opii.) 



Oxgall. 171 

Oxgall, Fel Bovis, in purified form, is employed in 
intestinal indigestion. The U. S. P. recognizes Fel bovis 
purificatum, and it is used in pills or capsules in 5 to 10 
gr. doses. 

P^onia is employed in 2x and 3X in rectal irritation 
and itching, as well as in fissures and hemorrhoids. It is 
asserted to relieve the pain, but is not used to the exclu- 
sion of local treatment. Large doses cause vertigo and 
diarrhea. 

Palladium. Triturations of this metal are employed 
in ovarian diseases associated with mental disturbances. 
If it is really of therapeutic value, its action is probably 
akin to that of platinum. 

Pancre;atinum. In a test tube this agent is amylo- 
lytic, proteolytic, and emulsifiant. In the stomach it is 
destroyed in the presence of pepsin or over 0.5% of hy- 
drochloric acid ; hence it should be administered in the 
intervals between gastric activity in order to reach the 
duodenum, where it possesses marked digestive powers. 
Do not administer in combination with other digestive 
agents, acids, or alcohol. Dose, 5 to 15 gr. 

Papaya. Several proprietary digestants, among which 
are "Papain," "Papoid," "Car old," and "Papaotin," are 
prepared from the fruit of the carica papaya, which con- 
tains ferments and nitrogeneous principles rather remark- 
able in plant life. These proprietaries are of consider- 
able value, but they do not digest everything, as is claimed 
by some enthusiasts, and they are very feebly active in 
an acid medium. In a weak, alkaline solution they are 
powerfully digestant, taking the place of pancreatin more 
than that of pepsin, but these agents are not without 
utility in gastric digestion, and, in their several combina- 
tions, are of frequent value in dyspepsia. Unfortunately, 



T-7 2 Parald^hydum. 

the high price has induced some so-called pharmaceutic 
houses to market tablets only pretending to contain this 
agent. It is best to buy direct from the makers of these 
articles under their trade names as herein given. 

In my own experience, they possess a peculiar value in 
dissolving and digesting mucus that I take advantage of 
in cases of gastric ulcer, gastric catarrh, intestinal troubles 
with an excess of mucus, and where intestinal parasites 
lodge in mucous secretions. These agents clear away the 
mucus and permit the local action upon mucous mem- 
branes or the absorption of remedies administered. Dose, 
2 to 5 gr. with sodium bicarbonate. A 5% solution in 
equal parts of glycerine and water dissolves false mem- 
brane in diphtheria and croup. 

Parai,d£hydum. Hypnotic and antispasmodic. Of 
slight use in nervous insomnia and in the treatment of 
alcoholism and insanity. The average dose is 30 Tl\, well 
diluted, in an elixir. An impure article may contain fusel- 
oil derivatives, but a well-made paraldehyde is moder- 
ately safe in use. 

Pareira. An alterative diuretic of value in urinary 
troubles, dropsy, and rheumatism. Large doses are laxa- 
tive. This agent markedly relieves gleet and chronic cys- 
titis. (F.e., 30 to 60 ni.) 

Parthenium, Bitter Broom. Small doses of a tincture 
are used in Cuba as a remedy for fevers, following the 
administration of quinine. It is said to favorably influ- 
ence Cheyne- Stokes respiration. Excessive doses cause 
headache and disordered vision. 

Passiflora Incarnata, Passion Flower. The physio- 
logic action of this remedy has not been well studied, but 
animals eating of it in large quantities suffer from spasm 
and paralysis. 



Passi£i,ora Incarnata. 173 

In moderate doses in man it is classed as a narcotic and 
antispasmodic. It has been exploited in proprietary cir- 
cles, and is overstated in the literature issued. I have 
made large use of the agent, and find the fluidextracts to 
vary. The ® is excellent, but too weak for a feeble drug 
like passiflora. The ec. tr. is made of the root and stem 
stalks, and is claimed to be more potent than fluidex- 
tracts, but I believe some of them equal it in strength. 

As an antispasmodic it is of more value than as a 
narcotic. A few cases of tetanus are recorded in which 
large doses were effective. It seems to cure tetanus in 
horses very promptly, but is not nearly so successful in 
man, and must be given in tablespoonful doses of the 
fluidextract. The spasms of meningitis yield to it more 
readily, while in epilepsy it seems to have an effect in 
reducing the frequency of the paroxysms, but large doses 
must be given. In the convulsions of children it is quite 
a reliable drug in doses of 10 to 15 TT\, of the fluidextract. 

As a narcotic it produces normal sleep, and the patient 
can be readily aroused. No disagreeable symptoms follow 
its use, but it must be steadily borne in mind that passi- 
flora does not relieve pain and is utterly worthless as a 
hypnotic in insomnia with flushed face and cerebral con- 
gestion. Bromides are demanded in this condition. On 
the other hand, in asthenic insomnia due to exhaustion 
and depressing fevers, in insomnia due to functional 
nerve disturbances, neuroses without pain, and in in- 
somnia of infants and the aged, it is a useful and en- 
tirely harmless drug. It acts nicely with children. Small 
doses are of no value. 

PEXivETiERiM. See Granatum. 

PenThorum, Virginia Stonecrop. The f.e. or ec. tr. 
in 5 to 20 TTt doses increases the functional activity of the 



174 Peppermint. 

stomach. The homoeopaths use smaller doses in chronic 
coryza. 

Pepo. See Cucurbita. 

Peppermint, Mentha Piperta. The warm infusion is 
diaphoretic, while the oil is antiseptic and anesthetic, and 
may be given in 2 to 5 TTt doses in fermenting stomach. 
Add the oil to a small quantity of glycerine, then incor- 
porate with a quantity of hot water and administer. Lo- 
cally, the oil serves somewhat the same purposes as the 
solutions in oil of the more active menthol, which is to 
be preferred. The oil is a good application to aching 
carious teeth, but a better plan is to first apply "Echa- 
folta" and follow with equal parts plantago (q. v.) and 
oil of peppermint. 

PEpsinum. An active proteolytic agent employed in 
several forms of dyspepsia and in peptonizing milk. In 
cases of malnutrition in infants, pepsin in small doses 
triturated with milk-sugar is often of most direct benefit. 
It should also be remembered that following shock or 
severe disease a deficiency of pepsin in the gastric secre- 
tion is ofttimes a marked factor in the case. It combines 
rationally with hydrochloric acid and the bitter tonics. 
Dose, 3 to 10 gr. A few makers extract direct from the 
hog's stomach the pepsin therein. These essences of pep- 
sin are probably the most active form of the drug, and 
are utterly free of decomposition products. 

PETrosEUNum, Parsley. The ® and first dilution are 
employed in urethral irritation with constant desire to 
micturate. It is fairly efficient. 

PhEnacetin, Acetphenetidinum , U. S. P. This agent 
is incompatible with iodine, salicylic acid, and oxidizing 
agents, and liquefies when triturated with carbolic acid or 
chloral hydrate. The patent upon it has recently expired, 
and it can now be procured at a reasonable price. 



Phenacetin. 175 

This drug is probably the safest of its class. While 
it induces the formation of met-hemoglobin and may cause 
cyanosis, it does not have the awful record of mortality 
incident to the unwise use of other coal-tar derivatives. 
There is no scientific basis for a sweeping condemnation 
of these synthetics, but it is well to be upon the safe 
side and employ this comparatively safe chemical instead 
of acetanilid. 

Phenacetin is of value in the initial stages of sthenic 
fevers, especially when associated with pain. It markedly 
reduces fever, but less decidedly relieves pain. Its stimu- 
lation of secretion renders it a valuable drug with which 
to prepare the system for the exhibition of quinine. Its 
average dose is 7^ gr., but 10 gr. may be given as an 
antipyretic and 12 gr. may be demanded for its analgesic 
effects. Never exceed 3 gr. with children, and do not 
give to infants at all. 

Phenol, Carbolic Acid. Antiseptic, antipyretic, and 
caustic. Used internally in doses of 1-6 to y 2 gr. in pill 
or emulsion, in fermentative dyspepsia, and obstinate vom- 
iting. Locally, full strength as caustic, and 1 part to 500 
to 1 in 1000 as a wash or injection. In ointments, usually 
5%. This agent is being largely displaced by other anti- 
septics, but should not be forgotten as a safe caustic pos- 
sessing local anesthetic properties. 

Phenyl Saucylas. See Salol. 

Phosphorus. This is a neglected but valuable remedy. 
Its great affinity for oxygen makes it a little difficult of 
administration. Its alcoholic solutions should not be dis- 
pensed in water, the contained air of which soon reduces 
it to phosphoric acid, and thus the physicians who ad- 
minister it in this way fail to get results. The Liquor 
phosphor i. N. P., or "Thompson's Solution," contains 



176 Phosphorus. 

1-24 gr. to a f3, and in doses of 10 to 20 1TL, diluted as 
administered, is a satisfactory preparation. The ec. tr. 
and © are of about the same order, but are saturated 
alcoholic solutions, and may be given in doses not ex- 
ceeding 5 TTL- The Pilules phosphori, U. S. P., contain 
1 -100 gr., and they are well constructed chemically and 
can be depended upon. 

In large doses (2 pills ; Liq. Phosphori, 20 to 30 drops) 
phosphorus is seldom demanded. Large doses should be 
given with great care, but when a powerful general stimu- 
lant and nerve tonic are demanded these doses give in- 
creased strength. Acute sexual debility may justify large 
doses. In paralytic conditions due to functional derange- 
ments of the cord, in long-standing cases of neuralgia, 
and in some cases of epilepsy 1-60 gr. doses may be 
given. 

In moderate doses (1 pill; Liq., 10 to 15 drops) it is 
a remedy in nervous exhaustion with the accompanying 
occipital headache and insomnia, chronic sexual debility, 
the diseases of senility, glandular diseases marked by de- 
bility, and in tubercular states. 

In small doses (Liquor, 1 to 3 drops; first decimal dilu- 
tion, 1 to 3 drops ; and in children and chronic cases, the 
second dilution). The ec. tr. or any saturated solution 
in alcohol may be used in glycerine or to saturate sugar 
disks, but these disks should be kept well corked. Prac- 
tically, the first dilution, given to the patient with direc- 
tions to take 1 to 3 drops in a little water at a dose, serves 
well. We must give the homoeopaths credit for develop- 
ing a good thing in these indications for phosphorus in 
small doses, as they are really very effective. In these 
doses phosphorus overcomes pulmonary engorgement, re- 
lieving the cough of tuberculosis and favorably influ- 
encing the dyspnea and diarrhea. In pneumonia and 



Phosphorus. 177 

bronchitis with engorgement and muco-purulent expector- 
ation and in chronic laryngitis and the sequelae of pneu- 
monia it is highly useful. 

Fatty degenerations are directly helped by small doses, 
and especially such changes in the heart, brain, and spinal 
cord. In cases of malignant jaundice, associated with 
fatty degeneration of the liver, it sometimes aids in the 
cure. 

A whole class of degenerative nerve changes responds 
to small doses of phosphorus, such as myelitic paraplegia 
from excessive venery, asthenic amaurosis following nerve 
lesions or defects, some cases of dementia and paralysis 
agitans, and prostration of the ganglionic system with 
impaired cerebration. 

Certain gastro-enteric states marked by debility are 
aided by small doses. A painful, irritable stomach, asso- 
ciated with deficient pancreatic digestion and painless but 
debilitating diarrhea, may be helped, and the whole train 
of symptoms disappear under a nerve-tonic course of 
phosphorus. 

Physostigma, Calabar Bean. This highly toxic drug 
has been employed in tetanus, tonic convulsions, severe 
neuralgia, phantom tumors, muscular rheumatism, and in 
strychnia poisoning, as well as in spasmodic conditions 
generally. Dose, extract, 1-10 to % g r -> the average 
being % gr. The average dose of the tincture is 15 TTt ; 
ec. tr., 1 to 3 TT\,. See under "Eserine" also. Its average 
dose is 1-64 gr., and the maximum 1-30 gr. Before 
using this drug in the doses and for the indications given 
above, it would be well to study the physiologic action 
as related to the case in hand. It is a powerful agent, 
both for good and for harm, but usually for the latter. 

In small doses (extract, 1-20 gr. ; tr., 3 to 5 TT\. ; ec. tr., 
% TTt) it is employed in inactivity of the bowels with 



178 Phytolacca. 

flatulence and muscular weakness, paretic diarrhea, dis- 
eases of the nerve centres, ocular paralysis, and writers' 
cramp. It has been commended in many other condi- 
tions by sectarian physicians. In general, it may be said 
that its influence in small doses is too uncertain to be 
depended upon, and it is little used in practice, although 
commended in the books. Eserine is highly useful in 
ophthalmic practice. The U. S. P. Physostigmince salicy- 
las or sulphas are the salts commonly used, and are ap- 
plied to the eye in 0.2 to 0.5% solution. 

Phytolacca, Poke Root. Some years ago an altera- 
tive mixture compounded from the fresh juices of stil- 
lingia, sarsaparilla, lappa, xanthoxylum, and phytolacca 
was suggested by Dr. J. Marion Sims, and has been used 
largely in syphilis with a considerable degree of satisfac- 
tion. The same combination made from fluidextracts has 
disappointed. It is a well-known illustration of the ad- 
vantages of fresh plant pharmaceutics. The drug now 
under consideration is one I wish I had it in my power 
to adequately present in such a light as to impress not 
merely the value of phytolacca, but to use as an illustra- 
tion of the radical differences between green and dried 
plants in the making of tinctures and fluidextracts. As 
a matter of fact, no fluidextract of phytolacca is of any 
particular therapeutic value unless made of the recent 
root dug in the early fall. A trial of the matter will 
soon demonstrate this to the satisfaction of any observing 
man. This is a very useful drug fallen into disuse, like 
many other good things, on account of vitally defective 
pharmacy. 

In excessive doses phytolacca is cathartic and emetic, 
and, in very large doses, a narcotic poison, one-half ounce 
of the berries or root in a fresh state having produced 
fatal results. 



Phytolacca. 179 

In large doses (ec. tr. or green root, f.e., 3 to 6 nx, or 10 
TTt, if for only a few doses) phytolacca might be likened 
somewhat to the iodides in action. While not taking their 
place, certainly it works in harmony with them, and is 
most valuable in following the iodides. It is employed 
in syphilis, scrofulous affections, ulcerations, and chronic 
rheumatism. It does not have the power of the iodides 
over effusions and plastic exudates, but in lymphatic and 
glandular involvements and to eliminate freely circulating 
toxines it is of equal value. Its known value in rheu- 
matism may be somewhat due to its narcotic action, and 
in those cases apparently not due to uric acid rather large 
doses of phytolacca are demanded and seem to be well 
tolerated. In acute rheumatism it does not do so well. 
In ulcers and ulcerating skin diseases it is a most ex- 
cellent agent, but must be given in full doses. It seems 
to have a direct and positive effect upon ulcerations of 
all mucous surfaces and the outlets of the body. It is 
not at all probable that it directly opposes the toxic ele- 
ment of syphilis, but it does oppose the suppurative ten- 
dencies of the disease and thus limits the development of 
these toxic elements. Phytolacca is not the only vege- 
table drug of value in syphilis. It does not eliminate or 
even antidote these elements, but it appears to clean the 
field and thus inhibit development. Mercury and the 
iodides seem to act as antidotes (if indeed there be an 
antidote). Phytolacca is not very markedly an elimi- 
nating agent, and hence is wisely combined with other 
alteratives and eliminating agents, although, in large 
doses, it is somewhat diuretic. Syphilitic sciatica, gonor- 
rheal rheumatism, venereal buboes, quinsy, suppurative 
sore throat, follicular tonsilitis, orchitis, rheumatic peri- 
ostitis, and diphtheria are all more or less amenable to 
full doses, not, of course, to the neglect of other indi- 



180 Phytolacca. 

cated measures. In diphtheria, for instance, it is a mere 
adjuvant to the direct remedies used. 

In moderate doses (ec. tr. or green, f.e., i to 3 TTt) it 
manifests its primary action, which is upon the glandular 
and lymphatic structures. It is the best agent in the 
materia medica for non-suppurative inflammation of the 
breasts in nursing women. Give small doses combined 
with aconite at frequent intervals, and apply the cerate 
or solution externally and support breast with adhesive 
strapping. Use equal parts ec. tr. and heated glycerine 
and apply upon absorbent lint, or else use the phytolacca 
cerate, made in 25% strength of the green root by homoe- 
opathic pharmacies. This cerate is of value in irritable 
breasts occurring before and during the menses. Minute 
doses of phytolacca are not effective. 

In domestic practice the poke berries are used in 
chronic rheumatism. The usual formula is 2 § of the 
fresh berries macerated in 1 pint of Holland gin. The 
dose is from 1 teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, not too 
frequently repeated. It is quite effective. The berries 
are also used to reduce fat. Procure the berries, after 
having been slightly frosted, and express the juice. Filter 
this and add about 20% of glycerine to preserve, or use 
less glycerine and a little salicylic acid. Commence with 
5 7Tt doses and increase carefully. 

Pilocarpus, Jaborandi. This is a drug presenting a 
whole train of difficulties to the honest pharmaceutic 
chemist. There are twenty-one varieties of pilocarpus 
leaves in trade, and of these species only two conform to 
official requirements. The other leaves are used. Com- 
ment upon the cheap fluidextracts is unnecessary. An 
honestly made assayed fluidextract is prepared by several 
houses, and is thoroughly representative. The ec. tr. is 



Phytolacca. 181 

made entirely from pilocarpus microphyllus, the eclectics 
claiming it to be much superior to the other official leaf, 
pilocarpus jaborandi. As a matter of fact, the chemistry 
of pilocarpus is so involved that it is a difficult matter to 
pass upon this question or to assign any therapeutic place 
to the several alkaloids derived from it, with the excep- 
tion of the official pilocarpine salts. The average dose of 
the U. S. P. assayed fluidextract is given as 30 TT[, which 
I consider too high. However, it must be said that a 
trace of jaborine exists in most fluidextracts, and official 
standards do not require its removal. This alkaloid is 
antagonistic to pilocarpine, and this renders the large 
dose necessary. Some chemists claim that pilocarpine is 
partially converted into jaborine by heating. If this is 
true, a fluidextract should be made absolutely without 
the aid of heat. Whatever views may be entertained as 
to the eclectic idea of rejecting pilocarpus jaborandi, the 
fact remains that their eclectic tincture or fluidextracts 
of pilocarpus microphyllus should be given in less dose 
than the other preparations. The maximum single dose 
of the ec. tr. is 1 3, and the eclectics consider this dan- 
gerous. The full dose is 20 to 30 Til. My own idea is 
that it contains very little jaborine, and hence the small 
dose. The U. S. P. requirement of 0.5% total alkaloids 
is very unsatisfactory as an assay standard in view of the 
involved alkaloidal chemistry. 

In large doses some practicians employ 1 3 of the ec- 
lectic tincture or 2 of the fluidextract at one single dose 
to establish crisis in severe febrile diseases where a fatal 
outcome is threatening. It is claimed that under such 
circumstances it equalizes the circulation and relieves in- 
ternal congestion. In some cases a hypodermic of y 2 gr. 
of pilocarpine hydrochlorate is preferable. The maximum 
single dose of this salt is 2-3 gr. This large dose should 



1 82 Phytolacca. 

never be given in ordinary ailments nor in threatened 
heart failure, but in semi-moribund cases it does not re- 
act upon the skin to any great extent. In proportion to 
age, nearly as large doses are now given in diphtheria 
with impending suffocation from accumulation of dry 
membrane, but in very young infants it does not do very 
well. In general, it may be said that when we want the 
action of large doses of pilocarpine, it is best to employ 
the alkaloidal salts, since no jaborine is to be contended 
with. The average dose is 1-5 gr., but Y^ to 1-3 gr. may 
be given in robust patients with sthenic disease. The 
physician should take atropine and brandy along, and re- 
main with the patient for an hour after administering 
pilocarpine. These doses are indicated in some acute 
febrile and inflammatory conditions with rigor and a 
bounding pulse, and sometimes as a sedative to the heart 
in other conditions. It is much employed in dropsy when 
the heart is not weakened. It appears to be of distinct 
value in markedly sthenic puerperal eclampsia and uremic 
convulsions. If in parturition the skin is hot and dry, 
the os very rigid, the pains severe but ineffective, and the 
pulse bounding, a full dose of pilocarpus gives excellent 
results. Large doses are sometimes given in croup. Pilo- 
carpus antidotes atropine poisoning, and, to some extent, 
the venom of snakes, rabid animals, and the ptomaines of 
decomposed fish and meats, but it is not employed to the 
exclusion of other indicated remedies. 

In moderate doses (f.e., 15 Trt ; ec. tr., 6 to 8 TTt ; pilo- 
carpine, % gr.) it is of value in inflammatory rheuma- 
tism, in inflammation of the lungs and pleura with exu- 
dation, stridulous laryngitis (dose reduced to suit age), 
laryngeal diphtheria, bronchial asthma, acute orchitis and 
ovaritis, sthenic erysipelas, lumbago, pleurodynia, serous 
iritis and rheumatic iritis, simple glaucoma, retinal hem- 






Phytolacca. 183 

orrhage, chorioretinitis, interstitial keratitis, and in effu- 
sion into the labyrinth of the middle ear. 

In small doses its action upon the skin is sufficient to 
aid in exanthematous fevers (ec. tr., y 2 to 2 TTt). Quite 
small doses are of value in sthenic fevers, especially 
where there is dry, bronchial irritation with imperfect 
secretion (ec. tr., 2 to 4 fl],). Where there is relaxation 
of the cutaneous vessels, due to tuberculosis and other de- 
bilitating diseases and causing excessive sweating, the 
little 1 -100 gr. granules of pilocarpine give relief. They 
are also useful in mumps, the salivation of pregnancy, 
scanty urination, edema from Bright's disease, laryngeal 
and pulmonic edema. These little granules can be fre- 
quently repeated. As an active galactagogue, small but 
larger doses than these are required. 

Used externally, pilocarpine is directed in 1 to 2% 
aqueous solution as a collyrium to contract the pupil. 
The alkaloid, instead of its salts, is used. Fluidextract 
of pilocarpus is a constituent of some hair tonics. Atro- 
pine in 1 -100 gr. dose antagonizes or antidotes 1-6 gr. 
pilocarpine. Homoeopathic physicians employ the third 
dilution of pilocarpus in exophthalmic goitre with as- 
serted benefit. 

Yum^m, U. S. P. Aloes (2 gr.), 1 to 3 pills. Aloes et 
ferri (1 1-13 gr. each, a laxative emmenagogue in doses 
of 1 to 4 pills. Aloes et mastiches (aloes, about 2 gr.), 1 
to 3 pills. Aloes et myrrhce (aloes, 2 gr., myrrh, 1 gr.), 
a laxative carminative in doses of 1 to 3 pills. Asafoe- 
tidce (3 gr.), 1 to 3 pills. Cathartic® compositce (co. ext. 
colocynth, 1%. gr. ; calomel, 1 gr. ; res. jalap, 1-3 gr. ; 
gamboge, % gr.), 1 to 3 pills. Catharticce vegetabiles 
(co. ext. colocynth, 1 gr. ; ext. hyoscyamus, y 2 gr. ; ext. 
leptandra, *4 gr. ; res. jalap, 1-3 gr. ; res. podoph., ^ gr.), 
1 to 3 pills. Ferri carbonatis, or "Blaud's Pills" (1 gr.), 



i&j. Pineapple. 

i to 3 pills. Perri iodidi (i gr.), i to 3 pills. Laxatives 
composite? (aloin, 1-5 gr. ; strych., 1-130 gr. ; ext. bellad. 
fol., }i gr. ; ipecac, 1-16 gr.), 1 to 3 pills. Opii (1 gr.), 
1 to 2 pills. Phosphori (1-100 gr.) ; dose, 1 pill, rarely 
2. Podophylli belladonna et capsici (podoph. res., T /\. gr. ; 
ext. bellad. fol., y gr. ; capsicum, y 2 gr.), 1 to 2 pills, 
rarely 2. Rhei composites (rhei, 2 gr. ; aloes, \y 2 gr. ; 
myrrh, 1 gr.), 1 to 3 pills. 

Pineapple. The fresh juice contains a digestive fer- 
ment known as Bromelin and acting similarly to caroid. 
The juice itself is of some value as a local application to 
the diphtheritic exudate as a solvent. 

PiPERAZiNE. An antilithic. Dose, 15 to 30 gr. per 
day, in water. The chemical is hard to keep, but the 
pharmacist can put it up in solution, freshly made, every 
two or three days. It is a most excellent agent, but 
rather expensive. 

PipERINA. A feebly basic substance derived from vari- 
ous species of pepper. It should be administered in pill 
form. In large doses (6 to 8 gr.) it is an antiperiodic. 
In small doses (y 2 to 1 gr.) it is a stomachic and car- 
minative. 

Pix Liquida, Tar. Antiseptic, anticatarrhal, antispas- 
modic. Glyceritum picis liquidco, N. P., is a valuable ex- 
pectorant in teaspoonful doses. It is a good vehicle for 
other agents acting in harmony with it. The syrup is 
similar, but the sugar therein is apt to disorder digestion. 
Vinum picis is another N. F. preparation, very much 
stronger in tar than the foregoing. It is a stimulating 
expectorant in teaspoonful doses. The oil of tar may be 
taken in 3 TIX doses upon block sugar. Ungiientam picis 
liquidee (50%) is used in scabby eruptions, psoriasis, tinea 
capitis, and other skin troubles. 



Plant ago Major. 185 

Plantago Major, Plantain Weed, Ribwort. This is 
a common pest in old lawns and by roadsides, and is a 
peculiar weed esteemed in domestic practice. A pulp of 
the crushed leaves is applied to insect bites, poisoned 
wounds, and painful sores. My experience in country 
practice leads me to remark that it is really of very con- 
siderable value. The homoeopathic cerate of plantago is 
made of 25% fresh leaves, and is recommended by them 
in many forms of poisonous and malignant inflamma- 
tion, phlegmonous erysipelas, indolent ulcers, ulcerations 
of the rectum and os uteri, chilblains in the inflamed 
stage, and the small boils that develop in the nose. The 
ec. tr. plantago is esteemed as a remedy in earache and 
toothache. It is applied full strength upon pledgets of 
cotton. Internally (ec. tr., 1 to 10 TIL ), it has some repu- 
tation in neuralgias due to reflex irritation from the ears 
and teeth. Small doses are asserted to cure nocturnal 
enuresis due to relaxed sphincter vesicas. It is "the harm- 
less remedy for bed-wetting in children" advertised by 
some mail-order "specialists." 

Plasters, Bmplastrum Adhcesivum, is 2% rubber, 2% 
petrolatum, and 96% lead plaster. Aromaticum, N. F., 
is a good, ready-made spice plaster. Belladonnce is 30% 
ext. bellad. fol. and 70% adhesive plaster. Bryonia and 
Rhus Tox. is a homoeopathic formula used to relieve pain 
of rheumatism, lumbago, and sciatica. Capsici contains 
4 gr. oleoresin capsicum in 36 square inch plaster. Hy- 
drargyri is 30% mercury with lanoline and lead plaster. 
Opii is 6% extract opium. Phimbi or Diachylon plaster 
is now made of lead acetate and soap. Saponis is 10% 
soap and 90% lead plaster. 

Platina. The 3X triturations are employed in sexual, 
nervous, and mental diseases, especially where there are 
paralytic tendencies with anesthesia, and in nympho- 



1 86 Plumbum. 

mania and satyriasis. The precipitated metal, and not a 
salt, is used. Since the heavier metals generally possess 
therapeutic properties, it is reasonable to suppose platina 
should not be an exception. It is asserted that it is an- 
tagonistic to lead, and is of value in chronic lead poison- 
ing. 

Plumbum, Lead Acetate, used externally in conjuncti- 
vitis and gonorrhea (1-5 to 1% solution), and sometimes 
in the diarrhea of tuberculosis in 1 or 2 gr. doses. The 
ix to 3X are used in enteralgia and muscular and intes- 
tinal cramps. The Liq. plumbi subacetatis is used in 
moist eczema, pruritus, and other affections. lodidum, 
used externally, in 10 to 20% ointments, in indolent ul- 
cers, swollen glands, etc. Internally, as an alterative in 
doses of J/£ gr. in indurated glands, arterio-sclerosis, and 
spinal cord degenerations. Reduce dose to 1-10 gr. after 
first few days. Nitras, used in 5% ointment in cracked 
nipples, chapped lips, etc. Plumbum metallicum, in 3X to 
6x, is used in sclerotic conditions, tremor paralyses, and 
muscular atrophies. Possibly it may do good, but I would 
advise caution. 

Podophyllum. In large doses (5 to 15 gr; resin, % 
to y 2 gr.). It has been unwisely recommended in doses 
as high as 1^2 gr. of the resin. The brown resin is to 
be preferred to the yellow, since it does not gripe so much. 
Large doses are hydrogogue cathartic. There is really no 
reason for employing podophyllum itself, since its resin 
(Resina podophylli) so well represents it. In malarial 
regions and with phlegmatic persons these large doses are 
indicated, but it is a mistake to give large doses to nerv- 
ous, high-strung individuals. It looks simple enough in 
the books, and quite innocent at that, but, as a matter of 
fact, these large doses are apt to make a city dweller so 
sick that he will hunt another doctor. However, large 



Podophyllum. 187 

doses are often of marked value in the removal of small 
gall-stones. Give ]/ 2 gr. doses, and follow with as much 
olive oil as the patient will take. The griping and nausea 
of large doses are not so marked if it is combined with 
leptandrin and small quantities oi ipecac. When a de- 
cided laxative but not a cholagogue effect is desired, ^ gr. 
doses are indicated. 

In small doses. It has been noted that triturations of 
the resin act much more comfortably than does the crude 
resin. I can highly recommend the 2x trituration. Small 
doses of it suffice for young children, and one does not 
fear overdoing the dose, while a 1 gr. tablet of the 2x 
every half hour until ten are given is an admirable way 
to give it to adults. We do give calomel that way. These 
small 1-100 gr. doses of the triturated resin are indi- 
cated in inactive conditions of the digestive tract with a 
dirty yellow coating at the base of the tongue, sluggish 
circulation, and abdominal torpor. Conditions of consti- 
pation with so-called biliousness and jaundice, more espe- 
cially if chronic, are really more permanently relieved by 
small doses than by large ones. Besides that, these con- 
tinued doses are alterative. All in all, small doses of 
podophyllin cover a great many cases, and in the rational 
use of it here suggested is not apt to nauseate. 

Polygonum Punctatum, Smart-zvced. Only fresh 
plant preparations are of any value. In large doses (ec. 
tr., 30 to 60 TTt) used in amenorrhea in young girls and 
suppression due to cold. In small doses (5 to 10 ITt) use- 
ful in flatulent colic with griping pain. The drug is a 
carminative antispasmodic of secondary importance. 

Polymnia Uvedalia, Bearsfoot. Employed in condi- 
tions of vascular atony with functionally enlarged and 
painful glands, as in enlarged spleen, hypertrophy of the 
liver, and uterine subinvolution. (Ec. tr., 3 to 10 TTt.) 



1 88 PoivYTRICHUM JUNIPERUM. 

Externally, it is employed in spinal irritation (ext. 25% 
in ointment), and as a hair tonic (ec. tr., 25% combined 
with other agents) . This drug is in use principally by the 
older eclectics, who consider it of positive value in glandu- 
lar troubles, although in general a weak agent. 

PolyTrichum JunipERUM, Hair-Cap Moss. This 
common moss is a hydrogogue diuretic. An infusion 
made from a handful of the green plant is one of the 
most positive diuretics of a non-irritating character. It 
has been known to increase the flow of urine in dropsy 
to the extent of voiding forty pounds in twenty-four 
hours. Its preparations are not very reliable. Probably 
the ec. tr., in 20 to 60 TIX doses, is about the most active 
of them, but the infusion is to be preferred. 

Populus Candicans, Balm of Gilead. A fluidextract 
of the leaf buds is used in making the "syrup of white 
pine." The agent is an excellent one, used alone, in doses 
of 30 TTt. Its range of utility is in acute colds with bron- 
chial irritation and hoarseness. 

Potassium, Acetate. Diuretic, refrigerant, alterative. 
Used in dropsy, gout, and rheumatism in 30 gr. doses. 
Bicarbonate, antacid, antilithic, and diuretic in 4 to 5 gr. 
doses. It is a valuable salt. Bichromate. See Dichro- 
mate. Bitartrate, "Cream of Tartar," aperient in 2 to 3 5 
doses and diuretic in 30 gr. doses. Bromide. This im- 
portant drug will not be discussed in detail here. Person- 
ally, I do not believe it can be of any permanent use, and 
may be very harmful in diseases produced or accom- 
panied by organic lesions or nutritive changes. Its unwise 
use has done a vast deal of harm in epilepsy. We should 
not forget that brominism is manifested by a general 
failure of the mental powers, anesthesia of the mucous 
membranes, partial paralysis of a peculiar nature, acne, 






Potassium. 189 

loss of sexual power, and weakened heart, In large doses 
(20 to 40 gr.) it is employed in great nervous excitement 
following nervous strain, sleeplessness, and delirium, 
nightmare (according to age), mania, some cases of epi- 
lepsy (with caution), chorea, and tetanus. In strychnia 
poisoning single doses of 60 gr. may be given. In moder- 
ate doses (10 to 20 gr., usually 15 gr.) in sleeplessness 
from exhaustion, migraine from irritable nerves, neu- 
ralgia from same cause, palpitation at climacteric, seminal 
emissions, nymphomania, and priapism. In small doses 
(1 to 3 gr.) in infantile wakefulness, colic, convulsions 
from tooth or bowel irritation, and in whooping cough. 
In adults, give small doses for acne occurring at puberty 
or menstrual periods. The homoeopathic use in minute 
doses is absolutely useless and a waste of time. Car- 
bonate, in 15 gr. doses, is antacid, antilithic, and chola- 
gogue, of value in acid dyspepsia, jaundice, etc. The ix 
trituration taken for long periods is asserted to be of 
value in hip-joint disease, anemia with constant back- 
ache in young girls, and ulcerative pulmonary phthisis. 
Chlorate, alterative, antiseptic, antisialagogue, employed 
now principally in mercurial salivation in doses of 3 or 
4 gr. Internally, it is apt to cause inflammation of the 
kidneys, and its general use is almost abandoned. Ex- 
ternally, in 3 to 5% solution in ulcerated states, particu- 
larly in mouth and throat. Citrate, diaphoretic and re- 
frigerant in 15 gr. doses. Cyanide. This is an antispas- 
modic and sedative that markedly depresses the heart. 
The U. S. P. has unwisely incorporated it. We have al- 
ready in use altogether too many dangerous cough seda- 
tives. It is suggested in 1-6 gr. doses in certain mental 
diseases, angina pectoris, etc. We have borrowed it from 
the homoeopaths, who use 1-100 to 1-20 gr. doses in ag- 
gravated neuralgias in temporal, orbital, and supramaxil- 



190 Potassium. 

lary regions, and the agonizing pain of cancer of the 
tongue. In my opinion, its only safe use is in removing 
silver nitrate stains (1% solution), although in desperate 
pain we may properly use it as a last resort. Its use in 
whooping cough is exceedingly dangerous in all cases. 
Bichromate (or bichromate). I do not know who has 
played a practical joke upon the regular writers in hav- 
ing them assign this agent to the list of internal remedies 
under the classical homoeopathic indications of long, long 
ago. However, he did a good thing, but a ix or a 2x 
triturate is strong enough, and 1-5 gr. doses are hardly 
required and are apt to lead to gastric irritation. Both 
our recently revised materia medicas and the old homoeo- 
pathic ones recommend it in aphonia, due to catarrh, with 
viscid mucus, chronic coryza, gastric ulcer, syphilis, and 
syphilitic ulcers and vegetations. In order to get a good 
working idea of the mental processes involved, read a 
homoeopathic materia medica in comparison with the 
"made in Germany" therapeutics of to-day. It is exceed- 
ingly easy to "discover" new therapeutics when it is 
already worked out and presented in symptomatic indi- 
cations rather than in a nosologic classification in litera- 
ture with which the regular profession are not familiar. 
It would not be at all hard to prognosticate a whole list 
of future "made in Germany" ideas from homoeopathic 
literature, and the coming "ethical proprietary" pharma- 
ceutics from eclectic formulae not yet scooped up. Ferro- 
cyanide, yy^ gr. doses, in phthisical night-sweats. Hy- 
droxide, escharotic in gangrene and warty excrescences. 
Used very unwisely internally in y^ to 1 gr. doses, well 
diluted. Hypo phosphite, a valuable nerve tonic recon- 
structive, in 5 to 20 gr. doses. Iodide, in large doses, a 
most valuable alterative if discreetly used. It should not 
be given when there is irritation of the gastroenteric or 



Potassium. 191 

renal membranes. It is indicated in blood dyscrasias, 
chronic glandular inflammations, and in indurations. 
Naturally, this covers a whole class of diseases too well 
known to demand discussion here. In small doses (J4 
to 1 gr.) useful in catarrhal pain in frontal sinus, catar- 
rhal neuralgia of face with acrid nasal discharges, lachry- 
mation with injected conjunctiva, raw feeling in larynx 
with greenish expectoration, descending colds, and in 
pneumonia when hepatization commences. (Iodide of 
ammonia when desired to combine with ammon. carb.) 
Very small doses (1-10 gr.) sometimes effective. Muri- 
ate ("Kali Muriaticum" of homoeopathy) is used in 3X 
trituration in catarrhal affections, subacute inflammations, 
fibrinous exudations, and glandular swellings. Nitrate, a 
diuretic refrigerant in 5 to 30 gr. doses. Doses of Y /z to 
1 gr. are sometimes used in suppurative nephritis. Per- 
manganate, an emmenagogue in 1 gr. dose in pill. A 
valuable antidote for morphia. As a wash in throat 
troubles (diphtheria, etc.), 5%. In general surgery as 
an antiseptic wash (10 to 20 gr. to 1 pint water). When 
applied to mucous membranes, only enough to cause slight 
reaction. Better commence with only enough to give a 
carmine pink tint to the water, and run up as case de- 
mands. Potassium and Sodium tartrate, or "Rochelle 
Salt," saline, cathartic, refrigerant. Average dose, 2 3. 
Sulphate in doses of 2 to 4 5 is actively cathartic, while 
30 gr. is diuretic and aperient. It is also classed as anti- 
galactic. Doses of 1 or 2 gr. are suggested in oxaluria. 

Prunus Virginiana, Wild Cherry. This name is de- 
ceptive. The true Prunus virginiana is the choke cherry, 
whereas the bark used in medicine is from the Prunus 
serotina. The U. S. P. syrup of wild cherry while in no 
sense an active expectorant, yet has been proven by ex- 
perience to be a very useful agent. Besides its soothing 



i9 2 Pt^ea Trifouata. 

properties, it is tonic, agrees well with the stomach, seems 
to be especially adapted to subacute and chronic coughs, 
and is an admirable vehicle. Dose, i f3. 

PtelDa Trifouata, Wafer-Ash. The bark of this 
shrub contains considerable berberin. The fluidextract in 
15 to 20 TTt doses is of value in atonic states of the stom- 
ach. It is rather pungent and astringent, and serves ad- 
mirably in atonic diarrhea. 

Pulsatilla, Wind Flower. This very valuable drug 
has been badly used by the regulars. For many years it 
has been very highly esteemed by the sectarians, who es- 
tablished it in popular favor. It finally became official, 
but the tincture was made of the dried herb, although it 
was well known that its active principle, anemonin, is 
very volatile and is quickly dissipated by drying. Frankly, 
a tincture of hay or cornhusks would exercise about the 
same influence as did most of the tincture of pulsatilla. 
Naturally, it disappointed the profession, since it was usu- 
ally almost inert. Since it is no longer official, and indi- 
vidual initiative, rather than official standards, is fol- 
lowed, some houses are making fairly active preparations 
of the drug. On the other hand, physicians who were 
sent the mother tincture by wholesalers who were out of 
stock and sent to a homoeopathic pharmacy for a supply, 
gave the drug, very unwittingly, in vastly excessive doses, 
and got bad results. Botanically, it is closely allied to 
aconite, and in large doses is a dangerous and highly irri- 
tating drug, depressing the circulation and temperature. 
It paralyzes the nerves and induces coma. 

The best pulsatilla grows in Germany, and both the 
imported mother tincture and the German tincture are 
about identical and are thoroughly reliable. The ec. tr. 
is much more concentrated, and is very active. I em- 
ploy it when using pulsatilla in moderate doses, but pre- 



Pulsatilla. 193 

fer the imported tincture or the first decimal dilution when 
using small doses. All tinctures of Pulsatilla deteriorate 
in time, and should be purchased in small quantities. Ane- 
monin is readily decomposed by alkalies and metallic salts, 
and hence Pulsatilla should not be combined with such 
agents. 

In moderate doses (ec. tr., 1 TTX ; ®, 5 or 6 nx) it is of 
value in diseases of the reproductive organs caused by 
deficient or defective innervation, and also, inversely, in 
hysterical, melancholic, and spasmodic manifestations in- 
duced by sexual derangements. Amenorrhea with men- 
tal perturbation, spermatorrhea, menstrual disorders with 
headache, chilliness, languor, nausea, water-brash, and 
nervousness, as well as some cases of hysterical convul- 
sions and the urinary irregularities of pregnancy, all re- 
spond nicely to this drug if properly pushed, but it is not 
a remedy for pain except incidentally as it relieves spasm. 
Homceopathists assert that Pulsatilla exercises a greater 
influence over women than over men, and more partic- 
ularly women of lax fibre, of mild and yielding dispo- 
sition. Probably that is true. We know the susceptibility 
of blonde women to belladonna. At all events, it is prob- 
able smaller doses will suffice than with women of the 
opposite type. 

In small doses (©, J / 2 to 1 TTt, or even the first dilu- 
tion) it exercises an influence upon the circulation par- 
taking somewhat of the natures of both aconite and cac- 
tus, reducing inflammation in mucous membranes and 
equalizing the circulation. It differs from aconite in that 
it is more antispasmodic in small doses, and it influences 
the catarrhal stage of congestions and inflammations 
rather than the initial stage. For this reason, it fre- 
quently should follow aconite and sometimes alternate 
with it. Pulsatilla, like a great many other remedies, 



194 Pulsatilla. 

should seldom be used in combination. We get most of 
our best results from the single drug. This is the single 
drug directed to catarrhal congestions, and it is a wide 
field. The thick, bland, and yellow or yellowish-green 
discharge is most affected. Potassium dichromate affects 
the thick, tenacious, and ropy discharge ; arsenic and 
iodide of arsenic the irritating discharge. One may alter- 
nate with any of these when demanded, or give different 
ones during different stages of congestion, or full doses 
of ammonium chloride to liquefy or establish discharge, 
but Pulsatilla, more than any of the others, can be de- 
pended upon in catarrhal disturbances of an acute char- 
acter. 

The following will simply suggest its range in this 
direction : Temporal neuralgia with lachrymation of 
affected side, otorrhea, catarrhal otitis, styes, agglutin- 
ated eyelids, ophthalmia neonatorium, subacute conjunc- 
tivitis, effects of "colds" upon eyes and ears, coryza with 
yellow discharge, toothache relieved by cold and due to 
acute congestion, catarrhal states of gastro-intestinal tract, 
creamy leucorrhea, catarrhal stage of gonorrhea, orchitis, 
acute prostatitis, greenish expectoration with cough, ca- 
tarrhal symptoms of measles, and in fevers when patient 
seeks the open air. One teaspoonful of the tincture to a 
quart of water is an excellent application in many of these 
conditions, especially to the eyelids. Understand, Pulsa- 
tilla is not here indicated as an exclusive remedy in these 
cases. It does overcome these symptoms of catarrh, but 
general systemic and local treatment should not be neg- 
lected. The sectarians have worked out a great many 
useful things, such as the indications for pulsatilla, but 
we have more resources for the deep underlying pathology 
than these small doses of drugs with an evanescent effect. 
On the other hand, in 60% of our cases there is no espe- 



PULVERES. 195 

rial pathology, and by relieving the symptoms nature com- 
pletes the cure. We may just as well not impede nature 
in these cases with massive doses of drugs. Our pa- 
tients will appreciate the small dose. 

PuivVERES, U. S. P. Acetanilid Compo situs (acetanilid, 
70% ; caffeine, 10% ; sod. bicarb., 20%). Average dose, 
73/2 gr. This is an official substitute for several proprie- 
tary mixtures. Its range of safe utility is much more 
restricted than the literature upon the proprietaries assert, 
and it should be used with care. Aromaticns, a carmina- 
tive in 10 to 20 gr. doses. Cretce comp., an antacid used 
in 30 gr. doses in diarrhea. Bifervescens comp., the U. 
S. P. name for "Seidlitz Powder." Glycyrrhizce comp., a. 
laxative containing senna, licorice, sulphur, fennel, and 
sugar. Dose, 60 gr. Ipecacuanha et opii (ipecac, 10% ; 
opium, 10%) ; "Dover's Powder." Anodyne, antispas- 
modic, and diaphoretic. Average dose, 7^ gr. The pres- 
ent U. S. P. formula omits potassium sulphate. Some 
authorities think the omission a mistake. The old 1870 
formula is made by Squibb and several other houses, and 
is readily obtainable. Jalapce comp. (jalap, 35% ; potas- 
sium bitartrate, 65%), a hydrogogue cathartic used in 
obstinate constipation and "bilious dropsy." Average 
dose, 30 gr. Morphines comp. ("Tully's Powder"). This 
is a mixture of camphor, 32%; morphine, 1^2% with 
excipients. It is anodyne, nerve sedative, and antispas- 
modic. Average dose, 7^ gr. Rhei comp. (rhubarb 
2 5%)> an antacid, laxative, and carminative in 30 gr. 
doses. Its employment is principally in the diseases of 
children. Several effervescent powders are official, such 
as lithium citrate and magnesium sulphate. 

Quassia, Bitter Wood. In large doses (f.e., 30 nt) 
it acts as an emetic with some persons and is an anthel- 



196 Quebracho. 

mintic, but is seldom given in such doses. In small doses 
(f.e., 3 to 5 nx) it markedly stimulates all the glands con- 
cerned in digestion and increases intestinal peristalsis. It 
is highly useful in debilitated states of the digestive tract 
with inactivity of the secreting organs. 

Infusions of quassia, used as enemata, destroy worms 
in the lower intestinal tract, and, used upon the skin re- 
peatedly, will kill pediculus capitis and pediculus pubis. 

Quebracho, Aspidosperma. Mariasi y Larrion, who 
has investigated quebracho, says of it: "The principal 
action of this drug is to cause a diminution of the num- 
ber of pulse-beats per minute and lessen the frequency 
of the respiratory act." The homoeopaths use it as we 
do, but prefer the 2x and 3x trituration of the alkaloid, 
aspidospermine. Full doses of it are given by some (% 
to y2 gt*.). The fluidextract is representative, and is used 
in doses of 10 to 60 Vi{. In large doses it possesses some 
value in malarial fever, and is so used in South America. 
The fluidextract, in 15 trt doses, is of value in dyspnea 
due to asthma or heart disease, asthma with emphysema, 
uremic asthma, and dyspnea due to fatty degeneration of 
the heart. Hale calls it "the digitalis of the lungs." It 
is a safe remedy, and prompt in action. 

QuERCUS, White Oak. The fluidextract of the bark is 
an astringent, antiperiodic, and tonic in 15 to 30 TTt doses. 
It is of value in certain bowel troubles as an astringent, 
in obstinate intermittents, exhausting sweats, diabetes, 
and passive hemorrhages. The decoction is employed 
upon ill-conditioned ulcers, in sore throat as a gargle, and 
as a wash upon the skin in debilitating disease with re- 
laxation and exhaustion. Spiritus glandium quercus, or 
distilled spirit of acorns, is given to allay the craving for 
alcoholic drinks. (Ten drops in water, two or three times 
a day.) 



QuiUvAJA. 197 

Qujxlaja, Soap Bark, is used pharmaceutically, and 
the tincture, in 15 Til doses, is classed as expectorant. It 
is expectorant, but is altogether a minor remedy. Two 
or 3 TTt doses are large enough, and exercise some in- 
fluence in the early stages of coryza and catarrhal sore 
throat. 

Quinina, Quinine. The alkaloid, the bisulphate, the 
hydrobromide, the hydrochlorate, the salicylate, and the 
sulphate are official in average doses of 4 gr. For local 
use the alkaloid is to be preferred. Subcutaneously, the 
bisulphate is most reliable as a rule, and its ready solu- 
bility makes its internal use ofttimes preferable to the 
sulphate. Its 0.2% solution is used as a douche in coryza. 
The salicylate is markedly antiseptic. The official oleate 
(25%) is well adapted for inunctions. 

In large doses (6 to 20 gr.) quinine is so important a 
drug that space precludes any adequate presentation in 
a small volume like this. It is antipyretic, antiperiodic, 
antiseptic, and emmenagogue; employed to reduce fever 
in typhoid, pneumonia, and other states; to destroy the 
malarial parasite in the many forms of malarial fever ; 
as an antiseptic in the intestinal canal ; and in amenorrhea 
and to hasten labor as an emmenagogue. 

Since the plasmodium malariae is destroyed in solutions 
of 1 part of quinine to 20,000 of water, the excessive doses 
formerly used do not seem necessary. Moderate doses, 
given during the intermission, are effective, and do not 
so disturb the nervous system. In continued types of 
fever it is best to give quinine when the temperature is 
at its lowest point or the secretions the most active. Qui- 
nine always acts best when the skin and tongue is moist 
and the pulse soft and open. Phenacetin is a valuable 
agent to promote these conditions and prepare the system 
for quinine. Where there is no remission in fevers, qui- 



I98 QUININA. 

nine should be employed cautiously, if at all, but once the 
fever subsides quinine is highly necessary. In intermit- 
tents, I like broken doses of the sulphate in the intermis- 
sion. In congestive chill, we want full doses with stimu- 
lants and local heat. As an antipyretic, quinine is less 
used than formerly, but cannot be entirely shoved aside. 
Probably we have given too large doses. In amenorrhea, 
it is best to give a warm bath and follow with good doses. 
In labor, 10 or 15 gr. of the bisulphate at one single dose 
is indicated in uterine inertia, and the lack of nervous 
force upon the part of the patient. 

In small doses (2 gr.) it is a valuable bitter tonic, the 
bisulphate being preferable to the sulphate. It may be 
used in many conditions, but is commonly employed in 
convalescence from pneumonia and other debilitating dis- 
ease, especially where there has been sepsis, prostrating 
discharges, or nervous debility. In states of debility in 
chronic disease with night sweats or congestive visceral 
states marked by atonicity, it is quite useful alone or 
combined with other indicated drugs. Quite adequate 
doses of quinine can be administered to infants by in- 
unction. 

In minute doses (1-10 gr. or ix trituration) quinine has 
a certain range of utility in cases marked by periodicity 
and spinal sensitiveness. Headache of malarial origin, 
neuralgia relieved by pressure, the aching sensitiveness 
along spine and back of the neck, and subacute facial neu- 
ralgias are ofttimes much relieved by these small doses 
if frequently repeated. The homoeopathic Chininum ar- 
senicosum, or arsenite of quinine, in the 2x, is an excel- 
lent tonic, markedly benefiting persons inclined to neu- 
ralgia and where there is a sense of weariness and pros- 
tration. In uncomplicated diarrhea it is effective. The 
ix is full dosing, but can be carefully employed in obsti- 
nate intermittents. 



Ranunculus Bulbosus. 199 

Ranunculus Bulbosus, Buttercup. In large doses 
(©, 10 to 30 drops, repeated as necessary) this rather toxic 
drug is used in delirium tremens. In small doses (©, 1 
or 2 TTL, or even the first decimal dilution) this drug in- 
fluences spasmodic troubles of the chest wall, such as 
pleurodynia, soreness in the intercostal spaces, muscular 
soreness about shoulder blades, and stabbing pain in the 
chest, such as results from pleurisy. It is not wise to 
depend upon this drug to cure the pleurisy itself. Her- 
petic eruptions, shingles, and vesicles upon the cornea are 
said to be relieved by this agent. Large doses should 
never be used, since the plant is an acrid narcotic. It is 
of secondary importance as a remedy, and is not very 
uniform in action. 

Rlsorcinol, Resorcin. This chemical was originally 
derived from natural resins and used internally as an anti- 
septic in doses of 2 to 5 gr., and as an antipyretic in 15 
to 20 gr. doses, and was a valuable drug. The present 
U. S. P. drug is made synthetically, and the average dose 
is given as 2 gr. Large doses are dangerously depress- 
ing. Since the drug is so changed, it is very much open 
to question whether it presents any advantages over phe- 
nol. Externally, it is more convenient, probably, and is 
used in 5 to 30% solution or ointment in various skin 
diseases and gonorrhea. It has a large list of incom- 
patibles. 

Rhdum. In large doses rhubarb is cathartic, combin- 
ing an astringency that renders its action easy, yet satis- 
factory. Used to free the bowels of offending matter in 
diarrhea and in atonic states of the bowel. It combines 
well with aloes. Powdered root, 20 to 40 gr., purgative ; 
10 to 20 gr., laxative. The extract is given up to 15 gr., 
and the fluidextract as high as 1 f3, but usually not over 
30 171. 



200 Rhododendron. 

In small doses the tonic properties of rhubarb are se- 
cured. It is not used uncombined to any extent, but enters 
into various formulae. For infants with acid diarrhea and 
the gastro-intestinal irritation incident to dentition, quite 
small doses of the Syr. rhei aromat. are indicated. The 
old eclectic formula, now incorporated into the National 
Formulary as Syr. rhei et potassii comp. and known as 
"neutralizing cordial," is the very best antacid stomachic 
ever devised for children. The dose is from ^ to 4 f3, 
according to age and conditions. Children seldom de- 
mand over 1 teaspoonful. 

Rhododendron, Snow Rose. The "first potency" of 
this agent is used in rheumatic and gouty disorders, cili- 
ary neuralgia, and hydrocele. It is very doubtful whether 
such small doses would be of any service. In Russia it 
is customary to make a decoction of 2 5 of the leaves 
and take at one dose, repeated daily until relieved. These 
doses are said to be quite effective. 

Rhus Aromatica, Fragrant Sumach. This plant has 
attained a place in the treatment of polyuria, nocturnal 
enuresis, diabetes insipidus, urinary incontinence, hema- 
turia, and cystitis. F.e. or ec. tr., 10 to 30 171 ) ®, 3° to 
60 TTl. 

Rhus Glabra, Smooth Sumach. The dried fruit is 
official. The fluidextract, in 10 to 30 1TL doses, is astrin- 
gent, and used in diarrhea and ulcerated states of the 
stomach and bowels. Locally, it is applied to soft, spongy 
gums, apthse, and pharyngitis. 

Rhus Toxicodendron, Poison Ivy. In large doses 
(f.e. of leaves, 6 to 30 Tit) it is a stimulant narcotic, some- 
what irritant to the stomach and bowels and irritant to the 
nervous system like large doses of nux vomica. These 



Rhus Toxicodendron. 201 

doses have been suggested in a number of conditions, but 
they are apt to be very erratic in action and are much more 
liable to do harm than good, and, despite certain authors 
to the contrary, it is very unwise under any circumstances 
to give them. The probable reason these men have not 
met with disaster is that the preparations they used were 
nearly inert. 

In small doses the fluidextracts and tinctures as usually 
made are of practically no value at all. The therapeutic 
agents in this leaf are the acids and oils dissipated by 
drying, and only preparations from the freshly gathered 
leaves should ever be used in medicine, and even these 
preparations should be destroyed when a year old and 
fresh stock secured. A good plan is to order direct from 
the factory 1 § of ec. tr. and dilute this with 9 § of j6% 
alcohol, thus making a reliable tincture, as the ec. tr. is 
rather dangerous to one's own hands. This tincture can 
be used in doses ranging from % to 10 Til, or the © can be 
used in the same doses. Usually 1 drop doses or even less 
give better results than do the larger doses. The drug 
can be said to be fairly effective up to the third decimal 
dilution, but in acute conditions it impresses me that 
larger doses than the 3X should be used. Higher than 
that I have never used it, since I do not believe in the 
so-called dynamization theory. Prof. G. Hardy Clark, 
of Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, says : "One 
or 2 drops of the tincture have been used with satisfac- 
tion, but doses ranging from the first to the fourth deci- 
mal dilution are more generally employed." Extreme 
homoeopaths do not agree with him, and seldom use it be- 
low the I2x. Frankly, it is a peculiar drug. I have se- 
cured unexpectedly good results with it in some cases, 
and no results whatever in other similar cases. When it 



202 Rhus Toxicodendron. 

does benefit at all it does so in no uncertain way. It is 
undoubtedly a very powerful and useful remedy, but there 
is something about it not understood as yet. The indica- 
tions subjoined are by Ellingwood, an eclectic, and Boe- 
ricke, a homoeopath. 

Eclectic indications: "In inflammatory fevers with 
sharp, hard pulse ; acute inflammation involving the skin, 
with bright, circumscribed redness ; extreme soreness or 
sharp, burning pain ; extreme redness of local parts in- 
flamed, with great local heat and sharp pain ; sharp supra- 
orbital pain, especially of the left orbit; burning in the 
eyes with flushed face ; inflammation with constitutional 
impairment, evidenced by a sharp, red tongue and deep 
red mucous membranes. The tongue has a pointed tip 
upon which the papillse are elongated and pointed." Their 
"specific medication" theory aside, they practically use it 
in acute erysipelas ; typhoid fever with sordes, red tongue, 
flushed face, and evidences of sepsis ; cerebral irritation 
in the course of fevers ; in the latter stages of severe 
types of the exanthemata^ ; in acute inflammatory rheu- 
matism and some forms of chronic rheumatism; in gas- 
trointestinal disorders of children with cerebral irrita- 
tion ; in septic cholera morbus ; and in suppurative dis- 
eases of the skin with redness. They esteem it very 
highly. 

Homoeopathic indications: "Mind — extreme restless- 
ness and delirium. Head — vertigo when rising, heavy 
feeling, occipital pain. Eyes — swollen, red, edematous. 
Lids inflamed, scalding tears. Face — swollen, irritation 
in articulations of jaws. Mouth — tongue red and cracked, 
corners of mouth ulcerated. Throat — swollen glands. 
Stomach — want of appetite, great thirst. Abdomen — 
pain, relieved by lying upon abdomen. Urine — dark, 
turbid, scanty. Respiratory — dry, teasing cough. Heart 



Ricinus. 203 

— pulse is quick, weak, irregular, and intermittent. Ex- 
tremities — hot, painful swelling of joints. Fever — adynam- 
ic, restless, trembling. Skin — red, swollen, vesicles, in- 
tense itching. Sleep — heavy, stupor. Modalities — worse, 
cold and wet weather, at night, during rest. Better, warm 
dry weather, motion." This is a mere abridgment of four 
pages of symptoms, but it illustrates the complicated in- 
dications of homoeopathy. Practically, they arrive at just 
about the same place as the eclectics, with the addition of 
sprains, granulated eyelids, smallpox, hypertrophy of the 
heart, and some menstrual difficulties. 

If our pharmacologists investigated the matter in de- 
tail, they would probably arrive at indications amounting 
to about this : An inhibitory agent in cerebral engorge- 
ment, influencing the vasomotor mechanism ; a sensorial 
sedative inimical to toxic irritation, increasing nerve tonus 
and promoting the functional activity of the terminal 
nerve filaments ; a vital alterative, influencing defective 
metabolism. 

Ricinus, Castor Oil. A valuable cathartic in ]/ 2 to 1 f,5 
dose. Its disagreeable taste can be overcome by adding to 
it a small quantity of an alcoholic solution of saccharin 
and some essential oil. Cinnamon serves admirably. The 
mixture may require a "shake" label, depending upon the 
kind of alcohol used, since the oil does not combine well 
with alcohol below 98% absolute. 

Rubus, Blackberry. The fluidextract of the bark of 
the root is an agreeable tonic astringent, in 10 to 30 TTt 
doses, in syrup or elixir. Its field is in the diarrheas of 
infancy marked by large, watery discharges of a clay 
color. An infusion of the fresh root is quite effective. 

Rum£x Crispus, Yellozv Dock. In large doses (f.e., 
30 Tl\) a valuable alterative, tonic, and laxative of direct 



204 Sabadiixa. 

utility in cutaneous disorders affecting persons of the 
strumous diathesis. In small doses (©, I or 2 TTt) it is 
esteemed in tickling cough, aggravated by talking and 
night air, and with rawness of larynx and trachea. It is 
said to cure exhausting morning diarrhea marked by 
brown, watery discharges. 

SabadiIvIvA, Cevadilla Seeds. The ® is employed in 
small doses in cases of intestinal worms and in hay fever, 
lachrymation, spasmodic sneezing, etc. Quite material 
doses are given for worms. 

This is the Indian caustic barley, a species of asagrsea 
containing veratrine (q. v.). It is a highly toxic agent 
with no reliable antidote and is very erratic in action. It 
is not a safe agent at all for intestinal worms. The fluid- 
extract was at one time used in 2 to 4 fix doses, but has 
gone out of favor. It is an exceedingly disagreeable drug 
that I do not care to use at all. Possibly, the small doses 
are of value, but homoeopathy offers so much better drugs 
I do not see why they use this one. 

Sabal, Saw Palmetto. This is a sedative to genito- 
urinary irritation, and is a nutritive tonic with mild, aphro- 
disiac properties. It influences all mucous membranes 
more or less, but more particularly the membrano-prostatic 
portion of the urethra. It is prescribed in enlarged pros- 
tate, epididymitis, impotence, sexual neurasthenia, enu- 
resis, chronic gonorrhea, tender ovaries and breasts, and 
chronic bronchitis. (F.e., 10 to 30 TTt-) 

This is a valuable remedy, now official, but the wonder- 
ful claims made for it in permanently curing the enlarged 
prostate of old men and increasing the female breast are 
not borne out. If used for a long time it is of some value 
in these directions. Small doses are not effective. 

Sabina, Savin. This gum resin is very disagreeable 



Saccharin. 205 

in substance, and is rarely used. It is rubefacient, em- 
menagogue, and vermicide. The f.e. is used in 5 to 15 TTL 
doses in amenorrhea. The oil may be used in 1 to 4 1T|, 
doses for worms. 

In small doses (©, 1 Tl\ every hour) it is used in gout 
and uterine pains with a tendency to miscarriage. Smaller 
doses, if miscarriage appears imminent. The tincture is 
also applied to warts. These homoeopathic claims have 
not received any very general support, and the small dose 
should not be depended upon. 

Saccharin, Benzosulphinidum. A non-fermentable 
sweetener, 550 times as sweet as cane sugar. Used phar- 
maceutically. 

Saffron, Crocus Sativus. "Saffron tea" is a domestic 
remedy of little real value, but used to promote efflores- 
cence in the exanthemata?. The American saffron, or 
Carthamus tinctorius, is really much more active. It is 
laxative in large doses. The homoeopaths formerly used 
crocus in chorea and hysterical affections and dysmenor- 
rhea with black, tenacious discharges. Some of them still 
use 5 TTt doses ® in this connection. 

Saucinum, Salicin. Antirheumatic, antiperiodic, and 
bitter tonic. Large doses (20 to 30 gr.) are of value in 
acute rheumatism. It is safe in large doses, and while 
not so potent as the salicylates, can be used when they are 
contraindicated. As an antiperiodic, it is used in chronic 
forms of malaria, in 10 to 15 gr. doses. In small doses 
(2 to 5 gr.) it is a gastric tonic of value in chronic atonic 
dyspepsia with a tendency to diarrhea. 

Saux Nigra Aments. Pussy-Willow Buds. This 
drug is urged as of marked value in controlling sexual 
hyperesthesia. It is used in satyriasis, erotomania, 
nymphomania, and spermatorrhea. It is suggested in dif- 



206 Salol. 

ficult menstruation, hysteria, and ovarian congestion. (Ec. 
tr., 10 to 30 Til ; ©, 30 to 60 TTL.) This remedy has not 
been very extensively used as yet, and it is altogether 
probable that its advocates claim too much for it. Small 
doses are not effective. In my hands large doses have 
given fair satisfaction. Use only green bud preparations. 

Salol, Phenylis Salicylas, U. S. P. This synthetic 
chemical is broken up into phenol and salicylic acid by the 
action of the pancreatic juice ; hence its action is that of 
these two agents. Its advantage consists in the fact that 
these valuable antiseptics thus pass the stomach intact and 
really reach the intestinal tract. About 40% of phenol is 
liberated, and large doses should be given very guardedly 
and not at all if the kidneys are inactive. The larger 
doses used are indicated as an intestinal antiseptic and in 
rheumatism, and the smaller doses in cystitis, urethritis, 
etc. The U. S. P. states the average dose as 7^2 gr., 
which I consider too high, as it is equivalent to 4 gr. of 
phenol, the average dose of which is 1 gr. Personally, 
2 to 5 gr. seem a proper dose, especially since they are 
quite effective. As an antipyretic and analgesic too large 
doses are required to be within the bounds of assured 
safety. As high as 90 gr. in twenty-four hours have been 
recommended, but some gentlemen become overenthusi- 
astic with internal antiseptics. These same men would 
not think of giving 36 gr. of phenol in enteric pills in 
twenty-four hours, yet that is what, in effect, they are 
doing. 

"Sai/ts/' Sal Acetosella, is potassium binoxalate ; Sal 
ammoniac, ammonium chloride ; Tartar, potassium car- 
bonate ; Bpsom, magnesium sulphate ; Glauber's, sodium 
sulphate ; Monsel's, iron subsulphate ; Rochelle, potassium 
and sodium tartrate ; Seignette, the same ; Sorrel, same as 
acetosella ; Volatile, ammonium carbonate. 



Salvia. 207 

Salvia, Sage. The dried leaves are official, but not 
any preparations. The infusion and the ® (in 20 to 30 
drop doses) are reliable. Sage is used as a condiment, 
carminative, and antihydrotic. As a gargle it is a useful 
astringent and antiseptic. A fluidextract is made and 
used in 10 to 60 Til doses, but the ® as made from the 
fresh leaves tastes better and mixes with hot water nicely. 
A cold tea, made in this way, is effective in night sweats. 
Sali/ia sclerata possesses nerve tonic influences, and 1 or 
2 teaspoonfuls of its tincture to a pint of hot water is 
useful for sponging the skin of debilitated persons. 

Sambucus Canadensis, American Elder. The recent 
flowers in warm infusion are diaphoretic and stimulant ; 
the cold infusion, diuretic. The ec. tr. is made from the 
green inner bark. The eclectics esteem it in edametous 
skin diseases and in depraved deposits and watery infil- 
tration. Ten drop doses are employed as an alterative. 
Very large doses are hydragogue cathartic and emetic. 
The ec. tr., in 15 to 30 nt doses, is safe and effective in 
dropsy, most markedly so in post-scarlatinal dropsy. The 
f.e. (flowers) is given in doses of ^ to 2 f3. 

Sambucus Nigra, European Elder, is used as an altera- 
tive and laxative in doses of ^ to 1 teaspoonful of the 
fluidextract of the bark, and, in 10 drop doses, as an ad- 
junct to bitter tonics. Small doses of the ® are employed 
in dry coryza and the dry and obstructed nasal catarrh 
of infants. 

Sanguinaria, Blood-root. In large doses (f.e., 15 
Vtl ; ec. tr., 10 Tf\) a harsh emetic very seldom used. In 
moderate doses (f.e., \y 2 HI ; ec. tr., 1 nO a stimulating 
expectorant. It does not act well in these doses with chil- 
dren. With adults it is of value in atonic conditions of 
the lungs or bronchi, but should not be loosely prescribed 
in all manner of acute and chronic coughs. 



208 Santoninum. 

In small doses (f.e., Y^ TTL ; ec. tr., 1-6 1T\, ; ©, i Ti\) 
it is indicated when there is irritable cough with the air 
passages dry, hot, and swollen. Especially useful when 
there is a sense of constriction in the throat, with a raw, 
sore feeling. In chronic cough, with a dry throat and 
circumscribed redness of the cheeks, and also in nasal 
polypi with mucous discharges, it is a valuable drug. 
These small doses promote the activity of the stomach and 
liver, are alterative, and influence the respiratory system 
in an eminently satisfactory manner. We have long been 
giving sanguinaria in doses entirely too large, and have 
failed to appreciate its great value. The nitrate of san- 
guinarine, in i gr. tablet triturates of the 3x, is an ad- 
mirable way to give small doses. 

Santoninum, Santonin. A very reliable vermicide in 
I gr. doses combined with calomel or a laxative. Young 
children should not be given over y 2 gr. Do not give 
during fever or constipation. One to 3 gr. of the ix 
trituration is used by homoeopathic practicians. Santo- 
nine is an uncertain emmenagogue, and has been recently 
suggested as a nerve stimulant in tobacco amaurosis, loco- 
motor ataxia, epilepsy, etc. There is no very tangible 
reason why it should be a nerve stimulant except that 
some old sectarian writers said so many years ago. 

Sarracenia Purpurea, Pitcher-Plant. Every few 
years someone exploits this plant as a sure cure for small- 
pox. As a matter of fact, 1 teaspoonful doses of the tinc- 
ture are laxative and eliminative, somewhat increasing 
the flow of urine. An infusion of the fresh root is bitter, 
containing a substance decomposed by drying, and quite 
reliable observers assert that such an infusion can be 
freely given during the course of zymotic diseases, mod- 
ifying their course somewhat and preventing sequelae. It 



Sarsaparilla. 209 

was so used by the Indians of Canada, and was intro- 
duced into homoeopathic medicine. They use it empiri- 
cally, more or less, but it is not "homoeopathic" to small- 
pox. It has no established place in therapeutics. For its 
interesting history, see "Scudder's Specific Medication." 

Sarsaparilla. The sources of supply of sarsaparilla 
root are so uncertain and its preparations so variable that, 
as an alterative, the drug is not usually very dependable. 
The fluidextract is useful as a flavor, and sometimes use- 
ful as a medicine. The best plan is to select a crude drug 
that when chewed for a while develops the peculiar acrid 
taste of a good grade of sarsaparilla. Make a decoction 
of this and administer in ounce or 2 tablespoonful doses, 
running up to 4 tablespoonfuls. It has long enjoyed a 
reputation in secondary syphilis. In small doses it is of no 
value. 

Sassafras is aromatic, astringent, and alterative, and 
is esteemed as a preventive of contagion by some of our 
foreign population, who eat onions and drink sassafras 
tea as soon as contagious diseases appear. Some physi- 
cians practicing among them think these agents exercise 
some influence in the matter. Possibly! The oil of sas- 
safras in large doses is a narcotic poison. Most narcotics, 
in minute doses, exercise more or less of a stimulating in- 
fluence, and probably sassafras may possess more reme- 
dial influence than we have thought. The popular idea 
that it "thins the blood" simply reflects a belief in its alter- 
ative properties. 

Scammonium. A hydrogogue cathartic used in doses 
of 2 to 8 gr., but seldom employed now except in combina- 
tion with other agents. 

Scilla, Squill. In large doses (f.e., 10 111 ) it is an 
emetic, but it is unwise to use it in this connection except 



210 SCOPARIUS. 

in the form of the compound syrup, or so-called "hive 
syrup/' in case of croup, to the point of nausea, or slight 
emesis in severe cases. This useful syrup is given to 
children in doses of 10 to 30 TTL, and to adults, 20 to 60 
Til, as an expectorant. In general, squill is not given to 
children to any great extent. 

In moderate doses (f.e., 1 to 2 TT|, ; syr., 15 to 30 trt ; 
vinegar, 10 TTl) it is an expectorant used in dry, irritating 
bronchial coughs and as a diuretic in cardiac dropsy. 
Smaller doses are employed in the chronic bronchitis of 
old people with mucous rales, dyspnea, and scanty urine. 

Scoparius, Broom. In large doses (f.e., 2 f3) ca- 
thartic. In moderate doses (f.e., 30 TTL) a valuable diu- 
retic in cardiac dropsy, the anasarca of chronic disease of 
the kidneys, and scarlatinal albuminuria. See also Spar- 
teine sulphas. 

Scutellaria, Skullcap. A mild nervine antispasmodic, 
in 30 to 60 HI doses of the fluidextract. Little can be 
expected of it except in functional disorders. It is a seda- 
tive useful in functional "nervousness" and mild hysteria. 

Senecio Aureus, Life Root. Another "uterine tonic" 
indicated in a general hyperemic, irritable, and atonic con- 
dition of the pelvic organs. (F.e. or ec. tr., 10 to 40 TTt.) 

Senega. In moderate doses (syr., 1 f3; f.e., 15 TTt) 
it is used in deep, hoarse cough, with mucous rales and 
free secretion. Scaly skin diseases are benefited by its 
continued administration, due to its diuretic and alterative 
properties. 

In small doses of the ® the homoeopaths claim results 
in catarrhal diseases of the eyes generally, but more par- 
ticularly in blepharitis, muscular asthenopia, and opacities 
of the vitreous humor. 

Senna. An efficient and safe cathartic. An infusion 



Sepia. 211 

of 30 to 60 gr. of the leaves is taken at one dose. A con- 
venient way to prepare it is to pour a pint of boiling 
water upon an ounce each of senna leaves and peppermint 
herb, let stand until cold, filter, and administer in doses of 
1 wineglassful every morning. The so-called "antibilious 
physic" is made of powdered ginger, 1 g; jalap, 8 g; and 
senna, 16 g. Dose, 1 teaspoonful. The aqueous fluid- 
extract is given in twice the dose of the U. S. P. fluid- 
extract, but is less griping. (F.e., ^ to 2 f3.) Small 
doses (1 or 2 gr. pills, extract) are a gastro-intestinal 
tonic, and are recommended in oxaluria and conditions of 
nitrogenous tissue waste. 

Sepia, Dried inky juice of cuttlefish. The ancients 
used a decoction of the cuttlefish for affections of the 
generative organs, urine, and skin. Hippocrates referred 
to it in his writings, and as long ago as Paracelsus it 
was known to influence what we know as the portal circu- 
lation ; then Hahnemann dug it up from the old literature 
(as he did a great many other things) and limited its 
use to the inky juice in small doses. Sepia is used by 
artists as a water color. The alcoholic mother tincture 
is a disagreeable, rather oily substance with a taste of 
propylamine. I cannot find any authority for the state- 
ment, but I believe it does really contain that substance. 
Propylamine and trimethylamine are supposedly isomeric. 
These substances are rather widely distributed. Cod-liver 
oil, shark-liver oil, herring brine, ergot, and several me- 
dicinal plants contain it. While possessed of the same 
number of atoms, these various amines have differing 
graphic formulae and quite different properties. Tri- 
methylamine has a more or less established place in thera- 
peutics, being used in rheumatism and chorea. Some 
authorities consider the trimethylamine content of ergot 
quite an important factor in its therapy. It is known, in 



212 Sepia. 

some of its combinations, to markedly influence the circu- 
lation. It is, therefore, altogether likely that if sepia con- 
tains it, as most visceral fish products do, it would have 
an influence upon the circulation, and probably also upon 
the womb. More definite statements would be rash, in 
view of the present lack of data. 

The homoeopaths must get some action from it, since 
they esteem it most highly. Their detailed provings or 
symptoms of this drug are elaborate, but amount to about 
this: Indicated in hepatic and venous congestion in 
lower abdominal and pelvic regions, with yellow spots 
upon face; flushes of heat, nausea, flatulence, yellow or 
greenish leucorrhea, and a marked bearing-down sensa- 
tion. Personal experience is sadly wanting, but I am 
inclined to think there is something worth while in this 
remedy. I bought a quantity of the 2x tablet triturates, 
and used only in cases of leucorrhea of the character in- 
dicated. Upon the whole, the results were good. Some 
of the eclectics use it, contending that it does not act ac- 
cording to the "similia" idea, but is of value, as indicated 
above, in uterine and liver troubles. Very probably, the 
homoeopaths overrate the value of sepia. 

Serpent aria, Virginia Snakeroot, is a vascular stimu- 
lant, promoting secretion from the skin and mucous sur- 
faces. It is used in the suppression of secretions from 
colds and in the course of fevers. In my own experience, 
a full teaspoonful of the fluidextract every three hours 
until three or four doses are taken is effective ; but in the 
many chronic diseases in which it is recommended, it does 
not impress me at all favorably. 

Siucea, Precipitated Silica. This is a supposedly me- 
dicinal substance peculiar to the biochemists. They be- 
lieve it to be indicated in a great many conditions. There 
is a small amount of silica in the skin and the nails and 



SlUCEA. 213 

traces of it in some other tissues ; and indurated and sup- 
purative states are frequently characterized by a lack of 
this substance. It is, therefore, probably of some use in 
these conditions, and may be of service in rachitic chil- 
dren, suppurative processes upon the skin, quinsy, styes, 
affections of the finger nails, and indurated tumors. I 
have had no experience with it at all, except that in cast- 
ing about for a remedy for mild indurations and cracked 
finger nails, due to x-ray burns, I hit upon silicea. For 
several years in my hospital service I have been very much 
overexposed to the x-ray, and find the ix of silicea to be 
of considerable aid in some of the lesions. While some 
of the contentions made in its favor by its advocates ap- 
pear very ridiculous, yet it must be classed as a tissue 
food neglected in regular medicine, but probably just as 
much indicated as manganese and other substances found 
in traces in living tissues. If one does not care to use 
this sectarian preparation, Squibb can supply the wet 
process silicic acid, which is really silicic oxide or pre- 
cipitated silica. The natural silicic acid is infusorial earth, 
and is used for filtering acids. This would not do. The 
wet process silica should, of course, be well triturated. 
See thiosinamine under heading "Sinapis." 

Sinapis, Mustard. Both white and black mustard are 
emetic in doses of 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls, and are used as 
counterirritants. In small amounts are used as condi- 
ments. Thiosinamine is the active principle of black mus- 
tard, and is valuable in the gradual removal of scar tissue 
or low-grade connective tissue ; as in corneal opacities, 
urethral stricture, visceral and connective-tissue adhesions, 
and chronic glandular tumors. Reference was made un- 
der "Silicea" to indurations. When tolerated well by the 
stomach thiosinamine is more active in such removal than 
is silicea, but it is not adapted to suppuration. Half gr. 



214 Sodium Sai/ts. 

doses in capsule, tablet triturate, or solution, three times 
a day. Gradually increase doses to I or iy 2 gr. 

Sodium Salts, U. S. P. Sodii Acetas, a diuretic used 
in cystitis and dropsy. Dose, 10 to 30 gr. Arsenas, alter- 
ative, tonic, antiseptic, and antiperiodic in malaria, ane- 
mia, and nervous diseases (1-20 to % gr.). In small 
doses (1-100 gr., or 2x, or in the form of cigarettes) in 
asthmatic cough and nasal catarrh. The exsiccated salt 
should be used in doses of half the above. Benzoas. See 
"Acidum Benzoicum." Bicarbonas, antacid, alterative, 
and antipruritic in average doses of 15 gr. Very large 
doses (2 % per day) in iodism and diabetic coma. Never 
use as an acid antidote unless no other alkali is available, 
as it liberates carbon dioxide too rapidly for safety in 
such cases. Bisulphis, antiseptic, used in sore mouth, 
yeasty vomiting, etc. Dose, 5 to 15 gr. Boras, or borax, 
antiseptic and mildly emmenagogue in doses of 5 to 20 
gr. Largely used externally. The transparent glass-like 
"bangles" sold as the "neutral" borax is the tetraborate, 
and is somewhat astringent as well as antiseptic, and is 
used externally in varying strength up to saturated aque- 
ous solution. Bromidum, sedative and diuretic. Actions 
and doses about same as potassium bromide (q. v.). Car- 
bonas monohydratus, used externally as an antacid anti- 
pruritic in 2 to 5% solution. Chloras should be handled 
carefully, as it explodes in a number of combinations. Deo- 
dorant, antiseptic, and alterative in doses of 2 to 6 gr. 
In very small doses ( V 2 gr. ) it is said to be useful in con- 
gested and atonic states of the uterus or in violent metror- 
rhagia and leucorrhea. Three or 4 n\ doses of Labar- 
raque's solution is preferable to the salt when small doses 
are indicated. Citras, diuretic and antilithic in 10 to 30 
gr. doses. Hypophosphis, nerve tonic and reconstructive. 
Dose, 10 to 30 gr. Iodidum. See Potassium Iodide. 



Sodium Salts. 215 

Nitras, antiseptic, diuretic, diaphoretic. Dose, 10 to 30 
gr. Nitris, antispasmodic, vaso-dilator, diuretic. Dose, 
y 2 to 2 gr. Phenolsulphonas, a valuable antiseptic well 
adapted to internal use in doses of 1 to 10 gr. and in y 2 
to 1% solution externally. Phosphas, antilithic, laxative, 
cholagogue. Doses of ^ to 1 f y are purgative ; 10 to 40 
gr. are antilithic and mildly laxative. Doses of 1 or 2 
gr. have been suggested in ailments arising from excess 
of lactic acid with flatulence and from irritation of the 
stomach. Sometimes small doses cure hives. Salicylas. 
See "Acidum Salicylicum." Sulphas, a hydrogogue ca- 
thartic in % to 1 5- The dried salt in half this dose. 
Sulphis, a rather disagreeable antiseptic, but peculiarly 
effective (when pure) to overcome sarcina ventriculi. 
When present the tongue is pallid, broad, and coated with 
a pasty white or yellow white fur. Give in 10 to 30 gr. 
doses. When patient objects to the taste, magnesium 
sulphite may be used in its place. Sulphocarbolate. See 
Sodium Phenolsulphonas. Thiosulphas, or hyposulphite, 
antiparasitic and antizymotic. Average dose, 15 gr. 

Solanum CarolinEnsis, Horse Nettle. This is a nar- 
cotic antispasmodic exploited as a remedy in the treatment 
of epilepsy and other convulsive diseases. The reports 
available are too vague to justify classing the drug as a 
sufficiently promising agent to warrant its trial in these 
conditions. It is a feeble agent. Probably the recent 
reports of its value in whooping cough may be warranted. 
(Ec. tr., 10 to 30 TT\,.) Solatium lycopersicum, the garden 
tomato plant (leaves), is used by some homoeopaths in 
rheumatism and influenza. (©, or first dilution, in small 
doses.) It is very much open to question whether their 
use of it is really justified. Solanum nigrum is the black 
nightshade, and its action is somewhat akin to belladonna. 
It is of real value in coryza and meningeal irritation, but 



2l6 SOUDAGO VlRGAUR^A. 

there is little reason for expecting anything more from 
it, in most cases, than is accomplished by belladonna. 

SoiyiDAGo VirgaurEa, Golden Rod. A diuretic of value 
in ascites, due to cirrhosis of the liver, and in cardiac 
dropsy. Bright's disease is ofttimes favorably influenced 
by small doses. Adminster from i to 8 f3 of the f.e. 
during the twenty-four hours according to amount of diu- 
resis demanded. An infusion of the flowering herb may 
also be used. 

Sparteine Sulphas. This alkaloidal salt is valuable 
in functional and organic heart disease, and especially so 
where digitalis fails or is contraindicated. In the irregu- 
lar heart following grippe and marked by muscular weak- 
ness, it is very effective. It is potent as a diuretic, and 
is used in albuminuria. The average dose is 1-5 gr., but 
it may be used hypodermically in doses of 1-10 to T 4 gr. 
Here it is of value in meeting the depression incident to 
the breaking off of drug habits. 

Spigeua, Pink Root. In large doses (f.e., 1 to 2 f3 for 
adults; for children, 10 to 20 Hi) spigelia is a powerful 
anthelmintic, but must be used with care, since it is de- 
cidedly narcotic and excites the circulation. Combined 
with senna, it is highly efficient in removing lumbracoid 
worms. 

In small doses (tr. or ©, 5 Tit) it is suggested in neu- 
ralgia of the fifth nerve, neuralgic heart affections, peri- 
carditis, and rheumatic endocarditis, but has no estab- 
lished place in therapeutics. Its physiologic action would 
warrant using it in these difficulties. 

Spirits, U. S. P. Spiritus Mtheris (32^%), an anal- 
gesic and antispasmodic. Dose, 60 Ht- Mtheris comp. 
(32^% ether, 2^% ethereal oil), "Hoffman's Anodyne." 
Dose, 60 TTt. Mtheris nitrosi (4% ethyl nitrite), diu- 



Spirits. 217 

retic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic. Average dose, 30 TTt- 
Ammonia: (10%), stimulant and antispasmodic. Aver- 
age dose, 15 n\. Ammonice aromaticus (3 4-10% ammon. 
carb., 9% ammon. water). Dose, 30 TTt. Amygdala 
amarcE (1%), cough sedative. Dose, 8 Tr[. Anisi (10%), 
aromatic and carminative. Dose, 15 to 60 TTL. Aurantii 
comp. (orange peel, lemon, coriander, anise), a flavor. 
CamphorcB (10%). Average dose, 15 TTt. Chloroformi 
(6%). Average dose, 30 TTL. Cinnamomi (10%). Dose, 
10 to 40 n|. Gaultherice (5% true oil). Average dose, 
30 TTt. Glycerylis nitratis (1% nitroglycerine). Average 
dose, 1 TTL. Juniperi (5%), diuretic in 30 TTL doses. Ju- 
niperi comp. (juniper, fennel, caraway). Average dose, 
2 f3. Lavandula? (5%), carminative, stimulant, aromatic. 
Average dose, 30 TTt- Menthce piperita: (10%), carmina- 
tive, stomachic. Average dose, 30 Vf{. Mentha: viridis 
(10%), carminative, stimulant. Average dose, 30 Tl\. 

Spongia Tosta, Roasted Turkish Sponge. Early in 
the nineteenth century Girtanner used burnt sponge in 
the treatment of venereal ulcers of the throat. This con- 
tains iodine, bromine, potash, magnesia, and lime salts, 
and in our books of not many years ago was highly com- 
mended. After a time it fell into disuse in regular medi- 
cine, but the homoeopaths make a strong tincture of it, 
which they quite unnecessarily dilute and use in croup, 
throat affections, difficult breathing, and many glandular 
affections in the 2x and 3X. 

Adequate personal experience with the tincture leads 
me to say that it is probably the best form in which to 
give small doses of iodine. Its action is similar to the 
iodized lime so aggressively pushed by the alkaloidal en- 
thusiasts as a remedy in certain types of croup. It is a 
good remedy, and so also is tincture of burnt sponge. 
Recently, some of the throat specialists have revived the 



2i8 Stan num. ' 

use of burnt sponge. In doses of 5 to 30 drops of the 
tincture a pretty prompt manifestation of the effects of 
iodine can be secured and with very little irritation, and 
I am inclined to think that the total medicinal content 
of burnt sponge, as naturally associated, is less irritating 
and more useful than the separated iodine in the treat- 
ment of glandular and throat troubles. This tincture is 
of very similar composition to the analyses given of the 
inorganic salts and bases in cod-liver oil, and I have used 
it to iodize nutritive oils, such as olive oil and peanut oil, 
and have had very good therapeutic results from them. 

Stannum, Tin. The homoeopaths claim that tritura- 
tions of the precipitated metal are useful in debility asso- 
ciated with chronic bronchial and pulmonary conditions 
marked by mucopurulent discharges. They also use it in 
spasmodic and paralytic conditions, neuritis, and type- 
writers' paralysis. The 3X to 6x is used, with what re- 
sults I cannot state, having never used it in any form. 

Staphisagria, Stavesacre. In large doses is an emetic, 
cathartic, and narcotic, rather unsafe in use. In small 
doses (f.e. or ec. tr., 1-5 to 1 TTL) it is a stimulant tonic 
to the nervous system, of value in melancholic and hys- 
terical conditions, but its chief value is as a soothing agent 
upon the genito-urinary organs. It has considerable repu- 
tation in irritation of the prostate, testicles, and vesiculae 
seminales, arresting mucopurulent discharges, such as 
gleet. Nocturnal emissions in nervous and anemic men 
and incomplete urethral evacuations are relieved by it. 
The homoeopaths employ it in recurrent styes, salivation, 
and crural neuralgia, as well as in "sexual sins." 

The ec. tr. contains the fixed oil of the seed, and makes 
a milky admixture with water. Most tinctures are made 
of seed from which this oil has been expressed. The 
contention has been made, but not well sustained, that 



Sticta Pulmonaria. 219 

the oil possesses therapeutic value. Equal parts of the 
fluidextract and cologne water are used to destroy pedicu- 
lus pubis and p. capitis. 

It must not be forgotten that staphisagria is very poi- 
sonous, and its preparations must be used with care and 
discrimination. In my own experience, fairly good re- 
sults have been obtained from small doses of the drug. 

Sticta Pui,monaria, Lungwort, a lichen found grow- 
ing upon rocks and trunks of old trees. Possesses a 
sedative action upon the vagus, lessening irritation and 
controlling cough with pain in the occipital region and 
between the scapulae and in the respiratory muscles. It 
is used in short, hacking coughs, and in influenza with 
irritating catarrhal discharges. In hay fever it has given 
me better results than has any other internal remedy. 
Many cases yield to its influence promptly, and are mark- 
edly relieved, while others take pretty full doses. Dose, 
ec. tr., y 2 to 10 TH, ; ®, 2 to 30 TTL. 

Stigmata Maydis. See Zea. 

StiIvUNGia, Queen's Root. In large doses is emetic 
and cathartic, causing gastro-enteric irritation and pros- 
tration. Pharmaceutically, stillingia presents the difficulty 
of the red tannates, and its preparations are liable to be 
either inert or to readily disintegrate. While the dried 
root is active, the recent root is far preferable. The pres- 
ent writer has used stillingia very largely, and believes 
a decoction of the recently dried root to be a most potent 
vegetable alterative. Several makes of f.e. and the ec. 
tr. and N. F. tr. are reliable, but the U. S. P. average 
dose of 30 TTL is too high when reliable preparations are 
used. One-third of this amount is quite effective, and 
may be long continued without irritation. To me it is 
exceedingly annoying that the revisers of the U. S. P. 
do not take more into consideration the many statements 



220 STIUJNGIA. 

in the U. S. and National Dispensatories as to the dif- 
ferences between recent and old herbs and roots. A great 
many instances are noted in these most excellent works 
where long-continued drying is deleterious to or ruins 
the drug. Stillingia is an instance. As a matter of fact, 
when we write for fluidextract of stillingia, U. S. P., it 
is purely a guess whether we will get an active drug or 
an inert mess. There exists not one scientific reason why 
the U. S. P. should ignore the chemical and botanical 
data of the dispensatories. It is certainly to be hoped 
that the U. S. P. preparations of the large class of drugs, 
of which stillingia is a type, will, at the next revision, be 
placed upon some reasonable basis of requirements as to 
the state of the crude drug. 

Physicians who have never properly exhibited stillingia 
have little idea of its great value. In small doses, long 
administered, we have a remedy in secondary syphilis, 
scrofula, lymphatic and glandular troubles, and chronic 
skin and throat troubles truly second only to the iodides. 

Stramonium, Thornapple or Jimson Weed. In large 
doses (f.e. [assayed] of leaves, 2 to 5 trt ; of seed, 2 to 4 
nx) a potent antispasmodic and anodyne, similar in in- 
fluence to belladonna, but preferred in asthmatic attacks. 
It does not act so well as does belladonna in inflammatory 
and febrile states. In spasmodic asthma, 10 to 20 gr. of 
the dried leaves may be smoked in a pipe. It can be used 
in large doses in mania and convulsions, dysmenorrhea, 
chorea, and hydrophobia, but is inferior to other agents. 

In small doses (f.e. or ec. tr., *4 to 1 TTt) it is a good 
cough sedative, is employed in retention of urine from 
spasm of the neck of the bladder, and in various con- 
ditions of brain irritation and sexual excitement. Small 
doses are said to remove the globus hystericus and to re- 
lieve muscular tremblings of functional or reflex origin. 



Strontii Bromidum. 221 

An ointment composed of i part opium. 4 parts extract 
of stramonium, and 16 parts of vaseline is used in rheu- 
matism, hemorrhoids, glandular swellings, and painful 
areas. Fresh leaves stewed in lard make an excellent 
ointment. Daturine has no well-established chemical iden- 
tity, being usually a mixture of alkaloids. Atropine is 
similar in action, and much more reliable. 

Strontii Bromidum. This most excellent drug is now 
official, and is distinctly less irritating than is potassium 
bromide. It is nerve sedative, while its influence upon 
circulation and the gastro-intestinal tract is most kindly. 
Germain- See highly commends it in fermentative dys- 
pepsia. It is also employed in nephritis. Average dose, 
15 gr. The Carbonate is employed in very small doses 
by the homoeopaths in affections of the bones and joints 
associated with or caused by rheumatism and sprains. 
The Iodide is official, and is used like potassium iodide. 
The Lactate is highly commended in albuminuria in 5 
to 15 gr. doses. The Salicylate is official, and the aver- 
age dose is 15 gr. Strontium salts promise to largely dis- 
place the much more irritating salts of potassium. 

Strophanthinum, Strophanthin. A glucoside, or 
mixture of glucosides, obtained from strophanthus. A 
very toxic agent, to be handled with great care. Its aver- 
age dose is stated in the U. S. P. to be 1-200 gr. Some 
authorities state it much lower. The 1-500 gr. granules 
are probably the most convenient way to give the drug. 
When there is urgent need for a heart stimulant, from one 
to three of these granules may be given in hot water, and 
then use one or two every half hour to two hours, accord- 
ing to urgency. It is not diuretic, and can be classed as 
a heart irritant. It is seldom wise to administer it for 
long periods. 



222 STROPHANTHUS. 

Strophanthus. This active agent is of value if used 
with discrimination, but a few cautions are advisable. Do 
not prescribe the tincture in an aqueous medium, since the 
glucoside is precipitated. As it is customary to have pa- 
tients use so many drops in water, it is the best plan to 
use the U. S. P. tincture and not the fluidextract or eclectic 
tincture. The tincture is double its former strength, and the 
average dose is 8 rrt. It is seldom advisable to exceed 15 
or 20 Tl\. Remember that strophanthus acts directly upon 
the heart muscle, increasing the systole and slowing the 
pulse without vasomotor effects. It is contraindicated in 
active hyperemia, visceral hemorrhages, vasomotor dis- 
turbances, and the ascites of tumors. 

Give strophanthus when the heart muscle is weak and 
the pulse rapid without pyrexia. It is indicated in valvu- 
lar lesions incident to muscular weakness and in dyspnea. 
Persistent anemia, due to a weak heart, and acute anemia 
following uterine hemorrhage, are aided, and ofttimes 
most materially benefited, by strophanthus. 

In small doses (tr., 1 to 3 nx) it is useful in the irri- 
table heart of tobacco smokers in arteriosclerosis. In 
exophthalmic goitre it has been highly commended. Be- 
gin with small doses and run up to 8 or 10 drops. Some 
cases of urticaria yield to a similar course of treatment. 

Strychnina. The alkaloid and its nitrate and sulphate 
are official. The average dose of each one is 1-64 gr., 
but may be used, cautiously, up to 1-20 gr. Under twelve 
years of age from 1-200 to 1-60 gr. It is best given 
hypodermically when used as a stimulant to the respira- 
tory centres and in the embarrassed breathing of pneu- 
monia, as well as in its employment to arrest progressive 
muscular atrophy. In general, its action is along the lines 
of mix vomica (q. v.), and is employed in general and 
local paralyses, in neuralgia, impotence, neurasthenia, de- 



Strychnina. 223 

ficient peristalsis, and as a cardiac and general tonic. 
When the effects of minute doses are desired, it is best 
to use nux vomica or ignatia as a rule. This is especially 
true of visceral and hysterical troubles. The homoeo- 
pathic indications for strychnia do not "pan out" in prac- 
tice, but they employ some unusual and really very useful 
salts. The 2x tablet triturates of strychnium phosphori- 
cum are excellent in spinal anemia, and the 3X in the 
anemia of pregnancy. Strych. arsenicum 3X is used very 
rationally in chronic diarrhea with paralytic symptoms. 
The alkaloidalists make most excellent 1-134 gr. granules 
of this salt. It antagonizes vasomotor paralysis, is a su- 
perb tonic, and strengthens the heart nicely in septic and 
malarial fevers. Strych. et ferri cit., in 2x triturates, are 
used in chlorotic and paralytic conditions, and in dyspepsia 
with vomiting. Strych. valerianate in 2x triturates are 
used in exhaustion of brain power and with women of 
high nervous erethism. Of the official preparations, the 
alkaloid and the sulphate are similarly employed, while 
the nitrate is preferred in dipsomania. 

Sulphon:ethyi,methanum. See Trional. 

Sulphomethanum. See Sulfonal. 

SulfonaIv. A coal-tar hypnotic that, in my judgment, 
should be rarely used, but it does possess a place in the 
insomnia of alcoholics and certain types of insanity. Give 
from 15 to 30 gr. in hot water two or three hours before 
sleep is desired, but do not be alarmed if its action is 
somewhat erratic or some disagreeable symptoms arise. 
The fact that it is tasteless renders it eligible in some 
cases, but in general it is a rather unreliable drug. 

Sulphur, Lotum or Washed S. and S. Prcecipitatum 
are identical in effects and are classed as alterative, laxa- 
tive, and antiparasitic. S. Sublimatum is rarely used as 



224 SULPHUR. 

a laxative, but excels in local skin affections. Sulphuris 
iodidum acts largely as sulphur, and the dose is I to 4 
gr. It is not a very stable chemical. 

In large doses (30 to 120 gr.) sulphur has been very 
unwisely used. In the system it is subject to so many 
chemical changes as to be unreliable in action, and its 
protracted administration causes anemia, muscular weak- 
ness, torpor of the venous capillaries, boils, and skin 
rashes. Externally, it has many uses, especially in scabies, 
and, as a lotion, in acne and other skin diseases; but in- 
ternally, beyond a dose or two for its laxative effect, I 
believe it does vastly more harm than good in the large 
dose. 

In small dose it is an open question just how much of 
a place sulphur should fill. The homoeopaths make very 
extensive use of it in scrofulous indurations, mucous ca- 
tarrhs, ulcerations, complaints that relapse, suppurating 
skin lesions, and diseases characterized by inertia and re- 
laxation of tissue. They claim that minute doses pro- 
mote resolution of pneumonic hepatization and relieve 
venous capillary stagnation, but they cloud the subject 
with a maze of subjective symptomatology verging upon 
the ridiculous. My own experience with their ix and 
2x triturations leads me to say that while they will do 
very little in most conditions they designate, yet I have 
gotten better results with them in skin diseases than I 
have with the crude drug. 

Sumbui,, Musk Root. This is a drug borrowed from 
the sectarians and much overexploited by certain manu- 
facturers. It is used in nervine and antispasmodic mix- 
tures with apparent success, but how much of the result 
is due to the sumbul and how much to the well-established 
agents incorporated with it is an open question. Musk 
or sumbul in an aromatic wine will make an impression- 



Syrups. 225 

able woman feel "perfectly lovely." So will rose-water 
in wine. The dose of the fluidextract is 30 n\. 

Syrups, official and non-official, are so numerous and 
present no especial points of differentiation from the oils, 
tinctures, and fluidextracts or the chemical substances en- 
tering into them, so we will not enter into details con- 
cerning them. The general tendency is to limit their use, 
since they are cumbersome and the sugar is seldom rel- 
ished by sick persons, and usually deranges the stomach. 
The syrup of the iodide of iron is an exception to the 
general rule that syrups are unnecessary in that the sugar 
in this syrup acts as a preventive of chemical destructive 
changes. Emetics, such as ipecac, squill, and sanguinaria, 
may at times be given with advantage in syrup, and syrups 
of the hypophosphites and other agents taken by persons 
engaged in their daily labor and capable of properly di- 
gesting the sugar may fill a useful place in therapeutics. 

TanacETum VulgarE, Tansy. Tonic, anthelmintic, 
and diaphoretic, employed in flatulent dyspepsia, jaun- 
dice, and worms. The hot infusion is employed in dys- 
menorrhea and to prevent the paroxysms of gout. Dose, 
f.e., 20 to 60 TTL. 

Taraxacum, Dandelion. Tonic, alterative, diuretic, 
and mildly laxative. Employed, usually in combination, 
in chronic functional liver derangements and cutaneous 
derangements due thereto. (E.e., 1 to 2 f3.) 

TerEbenum. A mixture of hydrocarbons derived by 
the action of acid upon turpentine. It is expectorant, 
antiseptic, and antifermentative ; used in chronic bron- 
chitis, flatulent dyspepsia, and genito-urinary diseases. 
Dose, 4 to 20 TTL on sugar. Externally, in 1% solution, 
in uterine cancer and gangrene. 



226 TerSbinthina. 

T^rebinThina, Turpentine. A valuable stimulant, 
hemostatic, anthelmintic, antiseptic, and counterirritant. 
Best exhibited in gelatine capsules and emulsion. 

In large doses (f3i to f3iv) it is a reliable anthelmintic, 
and is used in conjunction with castor oil when first aris- 
ing in the morning. 

In small doses (i to 10 TTt) a valuable stimulant in low 
fevers, used when the tongue is dry and red, the pulse 
feeble, tympanites, and the mind wandering. Give 5 TTL 
doses every three hours, and if hemorrhage, 10 TTL doses. 
Small doses are effective as a diuretic in atonic states of 
the genito-urinary tract. Fifteen TTt each of turpentine 
and sulphuric ether, in capsules, are given in biliary cal- 
culi. In strangury, with bloody urine, give quite small 
doses. In typhoid, I like an emulsion made by mixing 
2 f3 of turpentine with 1 % of castor oil, and rubbing up 
with 3 3 each of powdered acacia and white sugar and 
enough peppermint water to make a 4 § mixture. Shake 
well, and give 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls every three hours. Tur- 
pentine is given in case of trichina spiralis, in small and 
persistent doses, and in the subacute stage of dysentery, 
in quite small doses. One TTt doses do well with children 
where the trouble is due to the formation of lactic and 
butyric acids. 

Locally, turpentine stupes, turpentine in olive oil (10 
to 25%), and inhalations of the vapor from hot water 
and turpentine have a wide range of utility. Chian tur- 
pentine is applied to cancerous growths. Canada turpen- 
tine, or "balsam of fir," is a liquid oleoresin, and is some- 
times used in pill form. 

Tsrpini Hydras. In large doses (10 to 15 gr.) is diu- 
retic. Give in pills or capsules. As a diuretic, it is rather 
irritating. In small doses (1 to 3 gr.) it enters into a 
number of elixirs used in bronchitis, cystitis, etc. 






Theobromine. 227 

Theobromine. An alkaloid from theobroma cocao and 
possessing diuretic properties in 5 to 15 gr. doses. Sec- 
ondarily, it is a mild nerve stimulant. Merck makes a 
salicylate of theobromine that is a valuable diuretic and 
genito-urinary antiseptic. Dose, 15 gr. 

Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris, Capsella. In large doses 
(i.e. or ec. tr., % to 1 f3) is hemostatic and antiscorbutic, 
and is used in chronic diarrhea and passive hemorrhage. 

In small doses (®, 3 to 5 TT\,) the homceopaths esteem 
it highly in renal and vesical irritation as a soothing diu- 
retic. Where uric acid or insoluble phosphates or car- 
bonates produce irritation of the urinary tract, they use 
it. Also in albuminuria during gestation. From pretty 
adequate testimony their use of the green plant mother 
tincture in this class of affections seems to be well sus- 
tained by the results. 

Thuja Occidentalism Arbor Vitce. The ec. tr. is al- 
coholic, but free from extractives and suitable for surgi- 
cal use. Aqueous thuja contains the astringent but none 
of the oily and resinous principles. Long's thuja contains 
no alcohol. Oil of thuja is a colorless, campohraceous 
body destitute of astringency. 

Internally, thuja is a terebinthinate. The oil is most 
too irritating for internal use. The ec. tr. is used in 
affections of the mucous tracts, especially dribbling of 
urine in the aged, enuresis of children, vesical atony, sup- 
pressed gonorrhea, and gonorrheal rheumatism. (Ec. tr. 
in doses of 3 to 15 drops.) Not very miscible with water. 

Locally, thuja is very valuable in many conditions, but 
the proper preparation (alcoholic, non-alcoholic, etc.) 
must be used, or failure, if not great pain, will result. 
Fungoid granulations, fistulous openings, gangrene, pa- 
pillomata, condylomata, venereal warts, hemorrhage from 
malignant growths, bleeding moles, purpura hemorrha- 



228 Thuja Occidentals. 

gica, umbilical hemorrhage, bulging nevi, small, soft 
chancres, ulcerations upon uterine os, fissures, ptyalism, 
urethral carbuncles, syphilitic psoriasis, and many other 
conditions are treated by ec. tr., full strength, if upon 
the skin or directly upon warts or granulations. Upon 
mucous membranes or excoriated surfaces, 1-5 to full 
strength. Usually diluted with glycerine. In hydrocele, 
mix 1 3 each of ec. tr. and warm water. Insert a large 
exploring needle into sac, and permit serous fluid to es- 
cape. Now inject through the needle, by means of a small 
syringe, the 2 f3 of the diluted ec. tr., and knead scrotum 
vigorously. Withdraw needle. For a half hour or so the 
pain is pretty severe, but a cure usually results. In hernia, 
the same solution, or even full strength (y 2 f3 every two 
weeks) is injected into the rings. Practice rigid asepsis 
in all injections, and be caatious. 

In trachoma, pass wetted alum pencil over the everted 
lid (lightly), dry parts, and apply an ointment made of 
Long's thuja, 1 part, and vaseline, 3 to 8 parts. Aqueous 
.thuja (y 2 strength) may also be used. Further diluted, 
it is used in pterygium with conjunctivitis. In general, 
the aqueous thuja is preferable upon sensitive membranes, 
as in granular urethritis and catarrhal conditions of the 
mucous channels, or in nasal polypi, gonorrhea, granu- 
lated cervix, mucous patches in vagina and throat, and in 
fistula (1 part in 6, up to full strength). Thuja cerate 
(25%) is used in old skin troubles. 

Thymol. In large doses (10 to 30 gr.) a powerful 
anthelmintic of great value in "hook worm disease" and 
nematod infections of intestinal tract generally. Smaller 
doses destroy the filaria sanguinis hominis as found in 
chyluria. In small doses (1 to 3 gr.) it is antiseptic, and 
used in gastric fermentation. Locally, it is a pleasant 
antiseptic, used in nasal catarrh and in washes, gargles, 



Thymol. 229 

and spraying solutions. Unfortunately, it is rather ex- 
pensive and also attracts flies, which will not do in sur- 
gery. 

Thymous Iodidum. See Aristol. 

ToivU. A mild expectorant, stimulant to the bronchial 
mucous membranes. It is seldom used alone, but the 
syrup carries nicely and promotes the action of more 
positive expectorants. The dispensing physician will find 
the "soluble fluid tolu" useful in compounding the syrup 
or extemporaneous mixtures. 

Tonga, Premna Taitensis. The fluidextract, in 30 to 
60 TTt doses, has given good results in the treatment of 
neuralgia. 

Tongo, Tonka Bean, Dipterix odorata. Used as a 
flavoring agent. Possesses very mild anodyne properties 
taken advantage of in making up mixtures for whooping 
cough. 

TriFouum PratensE, Red Clover. The fluidextract 
of the blossoms, in 30 TTL doses, is alterative and used 
largely in combination with other agents. It is reputed 
to be of value in the cancerous diathesis. In doses of 10 
TIX it is used in spasmodic coughs, whooping cough, and 
hay fever. The agent has been pushed largely by the 
proprietary interests, who have derived their data con- 
cerning it largely from homoeopathic sources. It is of 
moderate utility. 

TrionaIv. A synthetic derived from another synthetic 
(sulfonal). A hypnotic and nerve sedative. Does not 
relieve pain. Average dose, 15 gr. In my experience, it 
is a very unreliable agent, and just about as uncertain in 
action as sulfonal and tetronal. 

Triticum Rep^ns, Conch Grass. A soothing diuretic, 



230 Triturations. 

increasing the flow of the watery portion of the urine. It 
is of positive value when the urine is dense and causes 
irritation of the mucous surfaces. Since it is non-irri- 
tating and entirely harmless, it can be given freely in 
irritable bladder, dysuria, cystitis, gonorrhea, lithemia, 
prostatitis, and many other conditions. (F.e. or ec. tr., 
10 to 60 171.) 

Triturations. What might be called ix triturations 
are now official. Elaterin is the only specific drug thus 
far designated in the U. S. P., but several enterprising 
manufacturers very wisely list a great many triturations. 

Trochisci, Acidi Tannici, U. S. P. (1 gr.), astringent 
in throat troubles. Ammonii chloridi (1^2 gr.), expec- 
torant. Cubebce (3-10 gr.), in bronchial troubles and sore 
throat. Gambir (1 gr.), in mouth and throat inflamma- 
tions. GlycyrrhizcE et opii (Wistar's lozenges, 1-12 gr. 
opium), in cough. Kramerice (1 gr.), in mouth and 
throat inflammations. Potassi chloratis (2^ gr.), apthae. 
Santonini (y 2 gr.). Dose, 1 or 2 with a laxative. Sodii 
bicarb onatis (4^ gr.), antacid. 

Tuberculin (Koch), a glycerine extract of pure cult- 
ures of tubercle bacillus. Used in diagnosis. Dose, 1-12 
to 1-6 gr. subcutaneously, once, in 0.8% salt solution; 
or four doses at intervals of three to seven days, 
giving, respectively, 1-128 gr., 1-32 gr., 1-12 gr., 1-6 gr. 
The reaction raises temperature 1^ to 2 degrees. The 
"New Ttibercidin" is used as a remedy in lupus and 
phthisis. Homoeopathic writers assert that minute doses 
are very valuable in the treatment of broncho-pneumonia. 
Aviaire, tuberculin from birds, is asserted to be useful 
in influenzal bronchitis, and, homceopathically, a solution 
of the third centesimal potency is injected, or the 30X 
•given internally. Bacillimim is made from tubercular 



Unguentum. 231 

nodules, and is an attenuation of the toxines found there- 
in. It is asserted to be of value in incipient tuberculosis 
in infrequent doses. The whole subject is in a somewhat 
nebulous state as yet, but doubtless some one or more of 
these substances will ultimately prove to be of real value. 

UnguEntum ; Acidi Borici (10%). Acidi tannici 
(20%). Belladonna (10%). Chyrsarobin (6%), anti- 
parasitic. Too toxic to use upon large surfaces. Diachy- 
lon, or lead plaster (50%), astringent and dermic. Gallce 
(20%), astringent in piles, prolapsus ani, flabby ulcers, 
etc. Hydrargyri (50%). The U. S. P. preparation is 
inferior to that made by Squibb by mechanical means. 
Antisyphilitic, discutient, and antiparasitic. Dose (by in- 
unction), 1 5. Hydrargyri ammoniata (10%). Hy- 
drargyri dilutum (mercurial ointment, 67%). Hydrar- 
gyri nitratis, or "citrine ointment" (mercury, 7% ; nitric 
acid, 17^%). Hydrargyri oxidi Hamim (10%), and 
Oxidi rubri (10%), are used in diseases of the eyelids 
and in indolent ulcers. Iodi (4%). Iodoformi (10%). 
Phenolis (3%). Picis liquids (50%). Potassi iodidi 
(10%). Stramonii (10%). Sulphuris (15%). Vera- 
trince (4%). Use carefully, as it is very toxic. Zinci 
oxidi (20%). Zinci stearatis (50%). 

Principal Homoeopathic Cerates. Most of them are 
made 25% of the strength of the plant. Rhus toxicoden- 
dron is made much weaker. Aconite, in inflammation and 
pain. JEsculus, in piles. Arnica, sprains and bruises. 
Bryonia, rheumatism and pleurisy. Calendula, antiseptic 
and healing. Carrot, in deep burns. Eucalyptus, an anti- 
septic. Graphites, sore nipples and fissured sores. Quite 
useful. Hamamelis, piles, burns, inflammations, etc. Hy- 
pericum, penetrating and painful wounds. Hydrastis, 
catarrhal conditions of mucous surfaces. Iris, in tinea 
capitis. Phytolacca, in glandular inflammation before 



232 Upas Tiente. 

suppuration takes place. A very valuable application in 
induration and congestion of mammary gland. Plantago, 
another excellent cerate of use in poisonous and malig- 
nant inflammation, ulcerations, pruritis, and phlegmon- 
ous erysipelas. Rhus tox, in rheumatism of joints, but 
must be used with great care. Stramonium (50%), in 
inflamed hemorrhoids. Thuja, in old sores, salt rheum, 
warts, and pimply eruptions. Homoeopathic cerates are 
very active, being made from the green plants. Their 
ointments made from chemicals are quite similar to our 
own. 

Upas Tiente, Upas Tree. This very poisonous plant 
is used in sectarian practice, but has no advantages to 
recommend it over other agents. Large doses produce 
tonic spasms and asphyxia. Small doses are a nerve and 
sexual tonic (3x). 

Uranium Nitrate. The 2x is esteemed in diabetes, 
gastro-intestinal ulceration, and chronic diseases of the 
liver. In the "made in Germany" regular practice, it is 
used for similar indications, but in doses of 1 gr., gradu- 
ally increased. 

UrEThanE. A hypnotic, in doses of 30 gr. Sedative, 
in doses of 5 to 15 gr. It is moderately effective, and 
safer than most synthetic hypnotics. 

UrTica UrEns, Stinging Nettle. The ®, in 5 drop 
doses, is used in agalactia, and is said to give good re- 
sults. 

UsTiivAGo Maydis, Corn Smut. The contention is 
made that corn ergot has similar actions upon the cen- 
tral nervous and capillary systems to the ergot of rye, 
but produces its action more regularly and safely and 
has the advantages of rye ergot in labor and post-partum 
hemorrhage without the disadvantages. A more conserv- 



Uva Ursi. 233 

ative view is that in chronic uterine hemorrhages ; and 
when there is uterine inertia before delivery, it is supe- 
rior to rye ergot, but not in active hemorrhage, or for the 
indications in small doses. (See Ergot.) A few makers 
of fluidextracts list ustilago. (F.e. or ec. tr., 5 to 30 TTL.) 

Uva Ursi, Bearberry. An astringent diuretic, useful 
in relaxed states of the bladder walls and where mucous 
discharges are profuse. It is employed in ulceration of 
the bladder wall, cystitis, pyelitis, diabetes, and in uri- 
nary calculi. (F.e., 10 to 60 TIX-) 

Valeriana. A gentle nerve stimulant, useful when 
the face is pale and the skin cool, in hysterical conditions, 
and nervous excitement. Employed in nervousness with 
depression, hysteria, hypochondria, the restlessness of 
fever, and mild, spasmodic affections. (Tr., 1 f3 to 2 f3; 
f.e. or ec. tr., 30 TTL.) 

Veratrina. Derived from asagrcea. Cardiac depres- 
sant and analgesic. Dose, 1-30 gr. A good drug to let 
alone. Externally, 2 to 4% ointments are used, but they 
are dangerous. See "Sabadilla." 

Veratrum Album, White Hellebore. An exceedingly 
toxic vasomotor depressant employed occasionally as a 
cardiac depressant, in doses of 1 to 3 ni of the fluidex- 
tract. Veratrum viride is much safer, and there is really 
no good reason to employ white hellebore when the for- 
mer agent is available. See the following article, "Vera- 
trum." 

Veratrum. The U. S. P. veratrum is either veratrum 
album or veratrum viride. In order to give reliable in- 
formation herein and endeavor to solve the problem why 
the revisers class these two agents as practically one, I 
read up a dozen authorities, and infer that as recent in- 



234 VERATRUM. 

vestigators declare that the two plants are of similar alka- 
loidal content, the revisers accepted these conclusions as 
final and the plants identical. In my humble opinion, the 
history of the. investigations of these two plants has 
always been so involved as to the alkaloidal content and 
the conclusions of equally able chemists so contradictory 
as to render it a very rash proceeding to base the therapy 
of such toxic agents upon them. 

As a matter of fact, a good deal of veratrum album 
grown in high, mountainous regions is very similar to 
veratrum viride, but the plant varies according to its habi- 
tat. Our source of supply is Europe, and we get very 
dry and uncertain crude white hellebore from there as a 
rule. Until the U. S. P. veratrum preparations are upon 
a much more scientific basis than at present, or until assay 
methods are devised that really determine something 
tangible about these complex drugs, it is best to not use 
the U. S. P. veratrum at all. I say this regretfully and 
against the statements of excellent authorities, but I have 
used a good deal of veratrum upon sick people, and that 
is the real test and punches holes in considerable theory 
and laboratory data. Read the dispensatories of a few 
years back upon veratrum album, with the marked cau- 
tions given therein, and you will appreciate my point of 
view. See "Veratrum Viride." 

Veratrum Viride, American Hellebore. Toxic doses 
depress the circulation and respiration and produce coma 
and incessant vomiting. While not apt to lead to fatal 
results, veratrum viride must be used with great care, 
since it may cause death by asphyxia. Never push be- 
yond slight nausea, and rarely to that point. The action 
of the drug is prompt, and should be given in doses not 
over two hours apart, and the patient be rigidly kept in 
the recumbent position when full doses are administered. 



VERATRUM VlRIDK. 235 

It is contraindicated in valvular heart lesions and in 
asthenic states. 

Pharmaceutical^, it is hard to work. Green root tinc- 
tures are apt to be slimy and weak. The recently dried 
root is fully effective. The Norwood's tincture is thor- 
oughly reliable. The © is excellent if sufficiently large 
doses are given. Squibb's tincture veratrum viride can 
be depended upon. The ec. tr. is a high-grade fluidex- 
tract made of partially dried root, and is probably not so 
concentrated as to alkaloidal constituents as are fluidex- 
tracts from dry but recent root. The numerous alkaloids 
derived from veratrum viride have no established place 
in therapeutics. 

In large doses it is of decided value only in puerperal 
convulsions. It is apparently harmless in quite large 
doses in this condition. Give 10 TQ, ec. tr., or 8 Tl\ f.e., 
or, hypodermically, 6 to 8 Til ec. tr. According to con- 
ditions, repeat with doses half as large. In one aggra- 
vated case I gave 30 nx ec. tr. within two hours, but such 
heroic doses are rarely safe, although as high as 10 nx 
hypodermically every fifteen minutes, to effect, have been 
suggested. The hypo, is really seldom necessary, since 
veratrum is so prompt in action. Be very cautions with 
these large doses. 

In small doses it is used to slow the pulse when it is 
full, strong, and large, viz. : in sthenic states. It is in- 
dicated in many conditions, such as erysipelas, malignant 
types of scarlet fever and diphtheria, sciatica, uremic con- 
vulsions, exophthalmic goitre, determination of blood to 
the brain, acute pneumonia, acute tonsilitis, peritonitis, 
meningitis, some cases of cardiac hypertrophy, acute 
rheumatism, and sthenic inflammations generally when 
patient is in bed and stays there. Do not give to persons 
who are asthenic or to those who are up and about, (F.e. 



236 Verbascum. 

or ec. tr., 1-5 to 2 rrt every half hour to two hours. Tinc- 
tures, 1 to 15 TTX-) The small dose is safe and effective 
within its indications, but 1 1TL f.e., or 10 TTt tr., is seldom 
to be exceeded in this connection. 

Verbascum, Mullein, Demulcent, mildly diuretic, ano- 
dyne, and antispasmodic ; used in bronchial irritation, cys- 
titis, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. (F.e. root or ec. tr., 15 
to 60 TTL.) For its use in deafness and ear troubles, see 
"Mullein Oil," which is said to influence the inferior 
maxillary branch of the fifth pair of the cranial nerves 
as well as the ear, and to be valuable in neuralgias of 
parts so supplied. 

VerbKna Hastata, Vervain, is employed by a few 
physicians, who commend it in intermittent fever, vesicu- 
lar erysipelas, and epilepsy (rather diverse conditions), 
but there is little evidence of its value. 

Viburnum Opulus, Cramp Bark. Tonic, antispas- 
modic, and alterative. It is indicated in cramps, spas- 
modic uterine pain, "bearing-down pain," spasmodic dys- 
menorrhea, spasm of sphincters, and as an antiabortive 
agent. (Ec. tr. or f.e., 10 to 30 Til.) The larger doses 
commonly suggested are not one bit more effective. It 
cooperates nicely with gelsemium and cimicifuga. 

Viburnum Prunifouum, Black Haw. This valuable 
drug is the best agent we have for irritable states of the 
womb in nervous patients, being especially indicated in a 
chronic disposition to miscarry. Give regularly for six 
weeks before the time when this event usually occurs. 
It controls after-pains and promotes uterine involution. 
Black haw relieves the gastric discomfort following alco- 
holic indulgence. (F.e. or ec. tr., 10 to 60 tr\,.) 

Vinum ; Antimonii (}i gr. tart. emet. in 1 fo). Cocce 
(f.e., 6*4%). Dose, 4 f5. Colchici seminis (f.e., 10%). 



Viola Odorata. 237 

Average dose, 30 TT^. Ergotce (i.e., 20%). Ferri (4% 
fe. et am. cit.). Ferri amarum (5% fe. et quin. cit.). 
Ipecac (f.e., 10%). Opii (10%). Average dose, 8 TO,. 

Viola Odorata. Small doses © are used in supra-or- 
bital pain, choroiditis, and otorrhea. Viola pedata has 
some reputation as an alterative. 

Waters, Medicated, U. S. P. Aqua amnionic? (10%). 
Average dose, 15 rr[. Amnionic? fortior (28%). Amyg- 
dalce amarce (0.1%) . Dose, 1 f3. Anisi (0.2%). Dose, 
4 f3. Aurantii floram, dose, 4 f3. Aurantii Horum fortior, 
dose, 2 f3. Camphorce (0.8%). Dose, 2 f3. Chlori 
(0.4%), disinfectant and zymotic. Average dose, 1 f3, 
well diluted. Externally, pure. Chloroformi (%%). 
Dose, 4 f3. Cinnamomi, dose, 4 f3. Creosoti, dose, 2 
f3. Fcenicula, dose, 4 f3. Hamamelidis, dose, 2f5. #3'- 
dro genii dioxidi (10 volumes oxygen), dose, 1 f3. ik/Vn- 
f&# piperitce, dose, 4 fo. Mentha? viridis, dose, 4 f3. 
Rosce, dose, 4 f3. i^o^^ fortior, dose, 2 f3. 

Xanthium Spinosum, Cocklebur. A diuretic of use 
in passive hematuria, chronic cystitis, but more espe- 
cially where gravelly deposits in the folds of the bladder 
cause irritation and an excess of mucus. (Ec. tr., 5 to 
15 1U-) 

Xanthoxylum, Prickly Ash. Primarily a stimulant, 
and useful as such in many languid and debilitated states. 
Highly valuable to add stimulating properties to indicated 
remedies combined with it. (F.e., 10 to 60 Til.) 

Yerba dE la FlECha, Sapium. A new purgative and 
diuretic, pleasant to the taste, and effective in doses of 
1 to 5 m, of the fluidextract. Large doses are poisonous 
and highly dangerous. It has not been sufficiently studied 
to establish its range of safe employment. 



238 Yerba Santa. 

Yerba Santa, Briodictyon. A tonic expectorant quite 
agreeable to the taste. Of value in chronic, subacute in- 
flammations of bronchial mucous membranes, especially 
when the cough is dry. Dispensing physicians will do 
well to stock with the aromatic fluid yerba santa (four 
times strength of syrup), and use in doses of 15 to 30 
TIX- One teaspoonful of the syrup masks the bitterness 
of 5 gr. quinine sulphate. 

Yohimbinum, Johimbin. An aphrodisiac recently ex- 
ploited for the cure of neurasthenic impotence. Use 
Merck's yohimbine in 1-10 gr. doses, or the homoeopathic 
1% solution in 10 drop doses. Hypodermic tablets con- 
tain 1 -12 gr. 

Z^a, Corn Silk. It is quite refreshing away on at the 
end of the alphabet in the U. S. P. to read : "The fresh 
styles and stigmas of zea mays." It is a wonder they 
did not designate the "dried." Probably, after the next 
two or three revisions eliminate nearly all our vegetable 
remedies except the ones containing poisonous alakloids, 
and, in process of years, the pendulum swings back, the 
then revisions will be full of fresh or green plant prepa- 
rations. 

Zea is really a valuable drug in inflammatory affections 
of the bladder, acute or chronic. It contains maizenic 
acid, which is a soothing antiseptic. It is especially valu- 
able where intravesical decomposition of urine has given 
rise to irritation. Zea is a harmless, non-irritating, non- 
depressing, and yet highly efficient remedy. (F.e., 20 to 
60 in,.) 

Zinc Salts, Zinci Ac etas, used externally as an as- 
tringent and antiseptic (2 to 5:1000 solution) in gonor- 
rhea, conjunctivitis, etc. Occasionally used as a nervine 
in y 2 to 2 gr. doses. Rademacher's solution is used in 



Zinc Salts. 239 

5 Til doses in water, three times a day, as a nerve tonic 
for persons under strain and losing sleep. Bromidum, 
employed in epilepsy, in 1 or 2 gr. doses, well diluted. 
Carbonas prcecipitatus, a dermic, used in abrasions and in 
face powders. Chloridum, used externally as a caustic in 
nevi, exuberant granulation, and to cancerous growths. 
In solution, 1 :iooo, is used in gonorrhea and eye troubles ; 
upon wounds, 1 :ioo; tuberculous joints, 1 :io. Internally 
in 1 -10 gr. doses in epilepsy, chorea, etc. Iodidum, an 
alterative antiseptic, used in doses of 1 or 2 gr. Metal- 
licum, a homoeopathic triturate, used in 3X, in defective 
nerve vitality with impending paralysis, spinal affections, 
hypochondriasis, etc. Oxidum, an antispasmodic, anti- 
septic, and mild sedative, used in diarrhea, gastroenteri- 
tis, gastralgia, etc., in doses of 1 to 5 gr. Externally, in 
5 to 20% ointment, in skin diseases requiring desiccation 
and protection. The pure powder may also be used ex- 
ternally. Phosphide, a nerve tonic in 1-20 to Y^ gr. doses. 
and used homoeopathically in neuralgias of head and face, 
brain fag, sleeplessness, etc. 2x and 3X triturations. 
Phenolsulphonas , or sulphocarbolate, an antiseptic astrin- 
gent, used in ^ to 1% solution externally, and in 1 to 3 
gr. doses internally, in typhoid, diarrhea, etc. Stearas, an 
antiseptic dusting powder. Sulphas, an emetic, in 15 gr. 
doses. Externally, in y 2 to 2% solution, or 5 to 10% 
ointment as an astringent. The homoeopaths use minute 
doses in muscular cramps and convulsive disorders. Va- 
leras, an antispasmodic tonic used in nervous affections, 
neuralgia, and diabetes insipidus, in doses of 1 to 3 gr. 

Zingiber, Ginger. A stimulant, diaphoretic, and an 
anodyne in gastric and intestinal pain. A teaspoonful of 
the tincture in a cup of hot water is a more valuable and 
certainly less harmful emergency stimulant than is whis- 
key or brandy. Smaller doses (tr., 10 to 20 TTt) are 



240 Zingiber. 

useful in flatulent colic and atonic gastric states. As a 
diaphoretic, it is used in the early stages of a cold with 
better results than with alcoholic stimulants. Give hot 
ginger tea and quinine, and cover warmly in bed. 






A Request 



Dear Doctor : 

No one can realize more fully than myself the 
deficiencies necessarily incident in the concrete results of 
any attempt to mingle our rational and physiological 
therapeutics with the involved literature and data of 
sectarianism and make a harmonious union of the 
whole There is no doubt at all that many men will 
note more or less faulty statements in this book. It is 
my earnest desire to eliminate them from a second edition, 
should it be called for in course of time. Criticism is 
frankly solicited and will be appreciated. 

Honestly believing in the principles of regular med- 
icine, it is not -to be expected that all sectarians will 
approve what I have endeavored to make moderate and 
reasonable views as to their own essential therapeutics; 
especially since this book is meant more as an answer 
than as a tribute to sectarianism On the other hand, 
we regulars cannot afford to complacently ignore the 
earnest, painstaking work of anyone in the field of thera- 
peutics, especially in view of its present rather unsatis- 
factory status I would request that my colleagues in- 
dulge me somewhat in the rather trying position involved 
in the authorship of such a book as this, and that our 
sectarian friends will realize that no attempt is made to 
treat their data from their points of view. 

To both regular and sectarian I would say that I 
will welcome definite and tangible data in criticism, but 
not the mere expression of prejudice No one is quali- 
fied to condemn the usefulness of a drug, either in large 
or small doses, until he has personally used a thoroughly 
representative preparation of that drug, strictly within its 
indications and in a number of clinical cases. 



I would appreciate the views of pharmacists and 
chemists. I do not favor polypharmacy and wish to ex- 
plain that while a great many unimportant drugs are 
noted in these pages, they appear largely as a matter of 
reference. I rarely employ them except in cases to 
which more reliable medication has been unsuccessfully 
directed. But disease is a strange entity. Quinine will 
not cure all cases of malaria, nor mercury and the iodides 
all cases of syphilis . These intractable cases may prompt- 
ly yield to relatively unimportant vegetable drugs In 
this view of the case all reasonably effective drugs are im- 
portant both in their pharmacy and in their therapeutics . 

I wish to say that I have read up all the fads in 
therapeutics Please do not send criticism based upon 
them. While there is more or less substantial basis in 
the claims of all of them , a small work cannot undertake 
their consideration. 



Fraternally yours, 



THOS. S. BLAIR 



403 N. Second Street 



INDEX OF REMEDIES 

The drugs and preparations appearing in this book 
are, with few exceptions, given their official titles and 
appear in alphabetical order. Cross references are 
used where their importance justifies the use of space, 
but there are so many common, chemical, and botanical 
names, synonyms, and sectarian titles that they are 
gathered together in this index. Page numbers are 
not needed, as all indexed names appearing in bold 
type are found in their alphabetical order, while those 
in less conspicuous type are immediately followed by 
the title under which they are treated, placed in 
brackets, as, for instance : 
Pilocarpus 

Jaborandi (Pilocarpus) 
Jimson weed (Stramonium) 
Phenylis salicylis (Salol) 
Rhus toxicodendron 

Thus, Pilocarpus appears under its own title, while 
Jimson weed will be entered as Stramonium. Salts are 
not indexed. Sulphate of zinc appears under Zinc salts. 
Individual preparations are not indexed. Tinctures, 
fluidextracts, etc., are not indexed, but preparations 
having no uniform basis of strength are briefly noted 
in the text and are indexed as Unguentum, Spirits, etc., 
the U. S. P. ointments, for instance, all appearing 
under the one heading. Complicated chemical names, 
except U. S. P. titles, will not appear, nor will common 
names not generally in use. 

Many drugs, doubtless of some utility, are not found 
here because of their having fallen into pretty general 

241 



242 



Index. 



disuse. On the other hand, some very inferior reme- 
dies are noted because in regular use in some school of 
medicine, and they appear as a matter of reference. No 
attempt is made to list the multitude of synthetics. 
U. S. P. agents used pharmaceutical^ only are not 
touched upon. 



Abies 

Abrus precatorius (Jequi- 

rity) 
Acetanilide 
Acetous tinctures 
Acetphenetidinum (Phe- 

nacetin) 
Acidum : 

Aceticum (Acids of 

minor importance) 

Arsenous (Arseni tri- 

oxidum) 
Benzoicum 
Boricum 
Camphoricum (Ac. of 

minor import.) 
Carbolicum (Phenol) 
Citricum (Ac. of mi- 
nor import.) 
Hydriodicum 
Hydrochloricum 
Hydrocyanicum (Ac. 

of minor import.) 
Lacticum (Ac. of mi- 
nor import.) 
Nitricum 
Nitrohydrochloricum 



Oxalic (Ac. minor 

imp.) 
Phosphoricum 
Picricum 
Salicylicum 
Sulphuricum (Ac. mi- 
nor imp.) 
Tannicum (Ac. minor 

imp.) 
Tartaricum (Ac. mi- 
nor imp.) 
Trichloraceticum (Ac. 
minor imp.) 
Acids of minor therapeu- 
tic importance. 
Aconitina 
Aconitum 

Acorn kernels (Quercus) 
Adonidin 
Adonis vernalis 
Adrenalin 
Aesculus 
Aether (Ether) 
Aethusa cynapium 
Aethylis carbonas (Ure- 
Agaricin (Agaricus) 
thane) 



(Ac. minor imp.) Agaricus muscarius 



Index. 



243 



Ailanthus glandulosa 

Alder (Alnus) 

Aletris farinosa 

Allium cepa 

Alnus rubra 

Aloes 

Aloin (Aloes) 

Alumen 

American Hellebore (Ve- 

ratrum vir.) 
Ammonium Bromide 

Carbonate 

Chloride 

Iodide 

Valerianate 
Amygdalus persica 
Amyl nitrite 
Anemone (Pulsatilla) 
Anhalonium 
Anthemis (Chamomilla) 
Antimonii et pot. tart. 
Antipyrin 
Apiol 

Apis mellifica 
Apocynum cannabinum 
Apomorphine 
Aquae (Waters, medicat- 
ed) 
Arbor vitae (Thuja) 
Arbutus (Epigaea) 
Argenti nitras 
Aristol 
Arnica 

Arsenicum album (Arse- 
nii trioxidum) 



Arsenic Bromide 

Iodide 
Arsenii trioxidum 

Arsenite of copper (Cop- 
per arsenite) 

Artemisia pauciflora 
(Cina) 

Asafoetida 

Asclepias tuberosa 

Aspidium 

Aspidosperma (Quebra- 
cho) 

Atropine (Belladonna) 

Aurum (Gold) 

Avena sativa 

Aviaire (Tuberculin) 

Bacillinum (Tuberculin) 

Balm of Gilead (Populus 
candicans) 

Balsam Peru 

Balsam tolutani (Tolu) 

Baptisia tinctoria 

Barosma (Buchu) 

Baryta carbonate 
Muriate 

Bayberry (Myrica) 

Bearberry (Uva ursi) 

Bearsfoot (Polymnia) 

Bee virus (Apis mellifica) 

Belladonna 

Benzosulphinidum (Sac- 
charin) 

Berberine 

Berberis aquifolium 



244 



Index. 



Bismuth beta-naptholate 

Subnitrate 
Bitter broom (Parthe- 

nium) 
Bitter candytuft (Iberis) 
Bittersweet (Dulcamara) 
Bitter wood (Quassia) 
Blackberry (Rubus) 
Black cohosh (Cimici- 

fuga) 
Black haw (Viburnum 

prun.) 
Black lead (Graphites) 
Black nightshade (Sola- 

num) 
Black snakeroot (Cimici- 

fuga) 
Blood-root (Sanguinaria) 
Blue cohosh (Caulophyl- 

lum) 
Blue flag (Iris) 
Blue mass (Mass) 
Boneset (Eupatorium) 
Bromelin (Pineapple) 
Bromine 

Bromoform (Bromine) 
Broom (Scoparius) 
Bryonia alba 
Buckeye (Aesculus) 
Buchu 

Bugleweed (Lycopus) 
Burdock (Lappa) 
Buttercup (Ranunculus) 
Butternut (Juglans) 



Butyl-chloral hydrate 

Cactus 

Caffeine 

Cajuput 

Calabar bean (Physostig- 
ma) 

Calcarea (Calcium) 

Calcium salts 

Calx (Calcium) 

Calendula 

Calomel (Mercury) 

Calotropis 

Caltha palustris 

Cambogia (Gamboge) 

Camphora 

Canadian hemp (Apocy- 
num) 

Candytuft (Iberis) 

Cannabis indica 

Cantharidin (Cantharis) 

Cantharis 

Capsella (Thlaspi bursa 
pastoris) 

Capsicum 

Carbolate of camphor 
(Camphora) 

Carbo ligni 

Caroba tree (Jacaranda) 

"Caroid" (Papaya) 

Cascara sagrada 

Cataplasma kaolini (Kao- 
lin) 

Catechu (Gambir) 

Caulophyllum 



Index. 



245 



Causticum 
Ceanothus 
Cedron 

Celandine (Chelidonium) 

Ceratum (Unguentum) 

Cereus (Cactus) 

Cerii oxalas 

Cevadilla (Sabadilla) 

Chamomilla 

Charcoal (Carbo ligni) 

Chelidonium 

Cherry laurel (Laurocera- 

sus) 
Chimaphila 
China (Cinchona) 
Chinese sumach (Ailan- 

thus) 
Chionanthus virginica 
Chloralamide (Chloralfor- 

mamidum) 
Chloralformamidum 
Chloral hydratum 
Chloroformum 
Christmas rose (Hellebo- 

rus) 
Chrysarobinum 
Cicuta virosa 
Cicutine (Cicuta) 
Cimicifuga racemosa 
Cina 

Cinchona 
Cineraria 

Cinnabaris (Mercurius) 
Cinnamomum (Cinnamon) 



Club moss (Lycopodium) 

Cobalt 

Coca 

Cocainae 

Cocculus indicus 

Coccus 

Cochineal (Coccus) 

Cocklebur (Xanthium) 

Codeina 

Cola (Kola) 

Colchicine (Colchicum) 

Colchicum 

Collinsonia 

Colocynthus 

Condurango 

Cone flower (Echinacea) 

Conicine (Cicuta) 

Coniine (Cicuta and Co- 

nium) 
Conium 
Convallamarin (Convalla- 

ria) 
Convallaria 
Copaiba 
Copper salts 
Couch grass (Triticum) 
Cuprum (Copper) 
Corn silk (Zea) 
Corn smut (Ustilago) 
Corkwood tree (Dubois- 

ine) 
Cotton-root (Gossypii) 
Cowslip (Caltha) 
Cramp bark (Viburnum 

op.) 



246 



Index 



Cranesbill (Geranium) 

Crataegus oxyacantha 

Creolin 

Cresol (Creolin) 

Creosotum 

Crocus (Saffron) 

Croton Chloral (Butyl- 
chloral hydrate) 

Cubeba 

Cucurbita 

Cud weed (Guaphalium) 

Culver's root (Leptandra) 

Cypripedium 

"Cystogen" (Formalde- 
hyde) 

Damiana 

Dandelion (Taraxacum) 

Digitalis 

Dioscorea 

Diuretin 

Dock (Rumex) 

Drosera 

Duboisine 

Dulcamara 

Duotol (Guaiacol) 

Dusty miller (Cineraria) 

Echinacea 

Elaterinum 

Elder (Sambucus) 

Emplastrum (Plasters) 

Epigaea 

Ergot 

Erigeron 



Eriodictyon (Yerba San- 
ta) 

Erythroxylon coca (Coca) 

Eserine 

Ether 

Ethyl 

Eucaine 

Eucalyptol (Eucalyptus) 

Eucalyptus 

Euonymin (Euonymus) 

Euonymus 

Eupatorium 

Euphorbia 

Eupion 

Exalgin 

Fel bovis (Oxgall) 

Ferrum 

Fish berries (Cocculus) 

Flag (Iris) 

Fleabane (Erigeron) 

Formaldehyde and "For- 
malin" 

Fragrant sumach (Rhus 
aromatica) 

Fraxinus (Manna) 

Fringe tree (Chionanthus) 

Fucus vesiculosis 

Gambir 

Gamboge 

Gaultheria 

Gelsemium 

Gentianae 

Geranium 



Indsx. 



247 



Glandulae suprarenales 
Siccae (Adrenalin) 
Thyroideae Siccae 

Ginger (Zingiber) 

Ginseng 

Glonoine (Nitroglycerine) 

Gnaphalium 

Gold 

Golden rod (Solidago) 

Golden seal (Hydrastis) 

Gossypii cortex 

Granatum 

Graphites 

Grindelia 

Guaiacol 

Guaiacolis carbonas (Guai- 
acol) 

Guarana 

Gum plant (Grindelia) 

Hair-cap moss (Polytri- 
chum) 

Hamamelidis 

Haw, black (Viburnum 
prun.) 

Hawthorn (Crataegus) 

Helleborus niger 

Helonias 

Hemlock, poison (Co- 
nium) 

Hemp, Canadian (Apocy- 
num) 

Henbane (Hyoscyamus) 

Hepar sulphuris 

Heroin 



Hexamethylenamina 

Hoarhound (Marrubium) 

Homatropinae 

Homoeopathic animal 

products (See Lachesis) 

Homoeopathic organo- 
therapy (See Lachesis) 

Hop, wild (Bryonia) 

Hops (Humulus) 

Horse chestnut (Aesculus) 

Horse nettle (Solanum) 

Humulus 

Hydrargyrum (Mercury) 

Hydrastine (Hydrastis) 

Hydrastis 

Hydrogen peroxide 

Hyoscine (Belladonna) 

Hyoscyamine (Belladon- 
na) 

Hyoscyamus 

Hypericum 

Iberis amara 

Ichthyol 

Ignatia amara 

Indian licorice (Jequirity) 

Indian tobacco (Lobelia) 

Indigo 

Indigo, wild (Baptisia) 

Inula 

Infusions 

Iodine 

Iodoformum 

Ipecacuanha 

Iridium 



248 



Index. 



Irisin (Iris) 

Iris versicolor 

Iron (Ferrum) 

Jaborandi (Pilocarpus) 

Jacaranda 

Jalapa 

Jambul 

Jequirity 

Jimson weed (Stramo- 
nium) 

Johambin (Yohimbinum) 

Juglans 

Juniperus 

Kali (Potassium) 

Kalmia Latifolia 

Kamala 

Kaolinum 

Kava-Kava 

Kino 

Kola 

Krameria 

Lachesis 

Lactucarium 

Lady's slipper (Cypripe- 
dium) 

Lapis albus 

Lappa 

Laurel (Kalmia) 

Laurocerasus 

Lead (Plumbum) 

Ledum palustre 

Leptandra 

Leptandrin (Leptandra) 

Lettuce (Lactucarium) 



Life root (Senecio) 

Lilium tigrinum 

Lily of the valley (Con- 
vallaria) 

Linimentum 

Lippia mexicana 

Liquores 

Lithii 

Lobelia 

Logwood (Haematoxy- 
lon) 

Lungwort (Sticta) 

Lupulinum (Humulus) 

Lupulus (Humulus) 

Lycopodium 

Lycopus 

Lysol (Creolin) 

Macrotys (Cimicifuga) 

Madar bark (Calotropis) 

Magnesia salts (Magne- 
sium) 

Magnesium 

Male fern (Aspidium) 

Mallotus (Kamala) 

Maltum 

Manganese 

Manna 

Mannite (Manna) 

Marigold (Calendula) 

Marrubium 

Marsh tea (Ledum) 

Mass 

Matico 

Matricaria (Chamomilla) 



Index. 



249 



May apple (Podophyllum) 

Mentha piperta (Pepper- 
mint) 

Mentha viridis 

Menthol 

Mercury 

Mescale button (Anhalo- 
nium) 

Methylene blue (Methyl- 
thioninae hyd.) 

Methylthioninae hydro- 
chloridum 

Mezereum 

Mistletoe 

Mitchella repens 

Morphina (Opium) 

Muscarine (Agaricus) 

Moschus 

Mullein (Verbascum) 

Mullein Oil 

Muscarine (Agaricus) 

Musk (Moschus) 

Musk root (Sumbul) 

Mustard (Sinapis) 

Myrica 

Myristica 

Myrrha 

Myrtle (Myrtus) 

Myrtus 

Napthalenum 

Natrum (Sodium) 

Nettle (Urtica) 

New Jersey tea (Ceano- 
thus) 



Nickel bromide 
Nicotiana tabacum 
Nitroglycerine 

Nutmeg (Myristica) 
Nux vomica 
Oat (Avena) 
Oenanthe (Cicuta) 
Oenanthe crocata 
Ohio buckeye (Aesculus) 
Oils 

Ointments (Unguentum) 
Oleates 
Oleum (Oils) 
Onion (Allium) 
Opium 

Opuntia (Cactus) 
Oregon grape (Berberis) 
Organo-therapy, Homoeo- 
pathic (Lachesis) 
Oxgall 
Paeonia 
Palladium 

Pale Catechu (Gambir) 
Panax (Ginseng) 
Pancreatinum 
Papain (Papaya) 
Papaya 

Papoid (Papaya) 
Paraldehydum 
Pareira 

Parsley (Petroselinum) 
Parsley, fools (Aethusa) 
Parthenium 



250 



Index. 



Partridge berry (Mitch- 

ella) 
Passiflora 

Passion flower (Passiflora) 
Peach (Amygdalus per- 

sica) 
Pelletierinae (Granatum) 
Penthorum 
Pepo (Cucurbita) 
Peppermint 
Pepsinum 
Peru, balsam (Balsam 

Peru) 
Petroselinum 
Pheasant's eye (Adonis) 
Phenacetin 
Phenol 

Phenylis salicylas (Salol) 
Phosphorus 
Physostigma 
Physostigmine (Eserine) 
Phytolacca 

Pilocarpine (Pilocarpus) 
Pilocarpus 
Pills (Pilulae) 
Pilulae 
Pineapple 

Pink root (Spigelia) 
Piper augustifoliurri (Ma- 

tico) 
Piperazine 
Piper methysticum (Kava- 

kava) 
Piperina 



Pipsissewa (Chimaphila) 

Pitcher plant (Sarracenia) 

Pix liquida 

Plantago 

Plantain (Plantago) 

Plasters 

Platina 

Pleurisy root (Asclepias) 

Plumbum 

Podophyllum 

Poison hemlock (Conium) 

Poison ivy (Rhus tox.) 

Poke root (Phytolacca) 

Polygonum 

Polymnia 

Polytrichum 

Pomegranate (Granatum) 

Populus candicans 

Potassium salts 

Powders (Pulveres) 

Premna (Tonga) 

Prickly ash (Xanthoxy- 
lum) 

Prunus virginiana 

Ptelea trifoliata 

Pulsatilla 

Pulveres 

Pussy willow (Salix ni- 
gra) 

Quassia 

Quebracho 

Queen's root (Stillingia) 

Quercus 

Quillaja 



Index. 



251 



Quinina 

Ranunculus bulbosus 
Rattlesnake bean (Ce- 

dron) 
Red clover (Trifolium) 
Red onion (Allium) 
Resorcinol 
Rhamnus purshiana (Cas- 

cara) 
Rhatany (Krameria) 
Rheum 

Rhododendron 
Rhubarb (Rheum) 
Rhus aromatica 
Rhus Glabra 
Rhus toxicodendron 
Ribwort (Plantago) 
Ricinus 

Rosin weed (Grindelia) 
Rubus 
Rumex 
Sabadilla 
Sabal 
Sabina 
Saccharin 
Saffron 
Sage (Salvia) 
Salicinum 
Salix nigra aments 
Salol 
"Salts" 
Salvia 

Sambucus canadensis 
Sambucus nigra 



Sanguinaria 
Santoninum 
Sapium (Yerba de la fle- 

cha) 
Sarracenia 
Sarsaparilla 
Sassafras 

Saw palmetto (Sabal) 
Savin (Sabina) 
Scammonium 
Scilla 
Scoparius 

Scopolamin (Belladonna) 
Scutellaria 
Senecio 
Senega 
Senna 
Sepia 

Serpentaria 
Shepherd's purse (Thlas- 

pi) 

Silica (Silicea) 

Silicea 

Silico-fluoride of calcium 
(Lapis albus) 

Silver (Argenti) 

Sinapis 

Skull-cap (Scutellaria) 

Smart weed (Polygonum) 

Snow rose (Rhododen- 
dron) 

Soap bark (Quillaja) 

Sodium salts 

Solanum 



252 



Index. 



Solidago 
Sparteinae sulphas 

Spearmint (Mentha viri- 
dis) 

Spigelia 

Spirits 

Sponge, roasted (Spongia) 

Spongia tosta 

Spurge olive (Mezereum) 

Spurred rye (Ergot) 

Squaw vine (Mitchella) 

Squill (Scilla) 

Stannum 

Staphisagria 

Star grass (Aletris) 

Starwort (Helonias) 

Stavesacre (Staphisagria) 

Sticta pulmonaria 

Stigmata maydis (Zea) 

Stillingia 

St. John's wort (Hyperi- 
cum) 

Stone root (Collinsonia) 

Stramonium 

Strontii bromidum 

Strophanthinum 

Strophanthus 

Strychnina 

Sulphomethylmethanum 
(Trional) 

Sulphonmethanum (Sulfo- 
nal) 

Sulfonal 

Sulphur 



Sumach (Ailanthus and 

rhus) 
Sumbul 

Sundew (Drosera) 
Sweet clover (Melilotus) 
Syrups 
Syzygium (Jambul) 

Tag alder (Alnus) 

Tanacetum 

Tansy (Tanacetum) 

Tar (Pix liquida) 

Taraxacum 

Tartar emetic (Antimonii 

et P. T.) 
Terebenum 
Terebinthinae 
Terpini hydras 
Theobromine 
Thlaspi bursa pastoris 
Thornapple (Stramonium) 
Thuja 
Thymol 
Thymolis iodidum (Aris- 

tol) 
Tiger lily (Lilium tigri- 

num) 
Tin (Stannum) 
Tobacco (Nicotiana) 
Tomato (Solanum) 
Tonga 
Tongo 

Tonka (Tongo) 
Trailing arbutus (Epi- 

gaea) 



Indkx. 



253 



Trifolium 

Trional 

Triticum 

Triturationes 

Trochisci 

Tuberculin 

Turnera (Damiana) 

Turpentine (Terebinthi- 
nae) 

Unguentum 

Upas 

Uranium nitrate 

Urethane 

Urotropin (Formalde- 
hyde) 

Urtica 

Ustilago 

Uva ursi 

Valeriana 

Veratrina 

Veratrum album 

Veratrum (U. S. P.) 

Veratrum viride 

Verbascum 

Verbena 

Vervain (Verbena) 

Viburnum opulus 

Viburnum prunifolium 

Vinum 

Viola 

Violet (Viola) 

Viper virus (Lachesis) 

Virginia snakeroot (Ser- 
pentaria) 



Virginia stonecrop (Pen- 

thorum) 
Viscum album (Mistletoe) 
Water ash (Ptelea) 
Wahoo (Eunonymus) 
Water dropwort (Oenan- 

the) 
Waters, medicated 
White arsenic (Arseni 

trioxidum 
White hellebore (Vera- 
trum album) 
White oak (Quercus) 
Wild cherry (Prunus 

virg.) 
Wild hop (Bryonia) 
Wild indigo (Baptisia) 
Wild yam (Dioscorea) 
Willow-buds (Salix nigra 

aments) 
Wind flower (Pulsatilla) 
Wintergreen (Gaultheria) 
Witch hazel (Hamameli- 

dis) 
Xanthium 
Xanthoxylum 
Yam, wild (Dioscorea) 
Yellow melilot (Melilo- 

tus) 
Yerba de la flecha 
Yerba santa 
Yohimbinum 
Zea 

Zinc Salts 
Zingiber 



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